Dinner and Worship - What could be better?

Life in Christ tonight begins mid-weed Advent worship.  We start with a meal and a good time of fellowship at 5:30 pm in the Ed. Building and then worship takes place at 7 pm.  Throughout Advent, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we're going to look at the first 11 verses of chapter 40 of Isaiah.  The good news that the prophet proclaimed 2700 years ago still has much meaning for us followers of Christ today.  Come and join us at Life in Christ!

The Sermon Machine

At least that's what I feel like I need to be in the month of December.  I have a sermon to write for tomorrow night (almost done), a sermon for Sunday (have an idea!) and a sermon I will be preaching for my former congregation's 25th anniversary.  I was both surprised and humbled that they asked me to take on this assignment.  I was there only 3 and a half years.  But during that time my dear, sweet wife and I met some of the nicest people on earth in South Carolina.  Many have remained friends to this day.  And that is one of the benefits of being in the ministry - making lasting friends.

Something missing from my 2012 calendar

Got my Pastor Desk Calendar in the mail a few weeks ago.  All the usual special holidays are listed.  But, as usual, one day was missing.  Can you guess which one.  Join us this Sunday at Life in Christ to find out.  Worship at 8 and 10:45 am.  Sunday school, Confirmation, High School and adult Bible class meet at 9:20 am.  Check the "location" tab on the home page to find us.  See you Sunday!

Why not pray?

You're on the road when you have a flat tire and when you reach in the trunk for the jack you find that your teenager forgot to put it back?
You're running late for your child's soccer match when you become ensnared in a traffic jam?
You have a misunderstanding with an old friend who rebuffs your efforts to try and make things right?
What do you do in those situations? Get mad? Get even? Laugh? Cry? Give up and throw in the towel?

Why not pray?

When you're tempted to lose your head, why not pray and ask God to help you keep your head and find a solution to your problem.
When the traffic jam is enough to make your blood boil over, use the time to thank Jesus for the forgiveness and salvation that is yours because of His shed blood on the cross.
When you feel powerless to bring reconciliation between yourself and your friend or loved one, ask the Holy Spirit to work through the power of the Gospel so that your friendship might be restored.

The apostle James wrote: The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  Since this is true, let's ask our Heavenly Father to help us make prayer the first option instead of the last resort as we encounter these and other situations in our lives.

Let us pray!

God's Mercies Are New Every Morning

I'm working today on the end of the year report that I'll give at our upcoming Voters Meeting.  It's fun to look back and see God's handiwork in our midst.  We kicked off the year with a special series focusing on the verses from Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's compassions never fail...they are new every morning! We were all encouraged to read our Bibles daily, to pray every day, to keep the 8th commandment in what we say about others, to sit aside our own agendas and pray "Thy Will Be Done," and to receive God's gifts with gratitude and praise.  All of this led to the best Easter celebration we've ever had.  The church gave my dear, sweet wife and I a wonderful sendoff as I began a three month renewal.  The church spent the summer studying the topic of prayer and enjoyed a wonderful summer of music - soloists and musicians and a variety of concerts.  When I returned in August, it was business as usual - preaching, teaching, leading, serving and praying.  We wrap up the year with growth in membership, Sunday worship attendance, Sunday school and weekly Bible classes.  We began several new ministries and saw groups like our Lutheran Women in Mission help extend our reach into our community and world.  We also established a new mission statement: Live and Grow in Christ ~ Encourage and Reach Others.  All in all, it has been a year full of blessings.  And I should not be surprised by that - God's mercies are new every morning!

Do you tweet?

You can find me on Twitter now and I think it's going to be lots of fun.  Just getting started but if you're interested, check it out @GeorgeSpicer1. 

Christ the King Sunday

marks the last Sunday in the church year.  Come and worship this Sunday and give praise to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Christ Jesus.  Sermon theme: "The King Has Another Move."  Worship at 8 and 10:45 am.  Music provided by our outstanding Bell Choir.  Sunday school at 9:15 am with Confirmation, High School Youth and Adult Bible classes at 9:20 am.  Come live and grow with Christ with us at Life in Christ!