News & Updates: Week of 2021-05-03
I stated during the evening service this week that I was going to share a free resource with you. Today, I’d like to introduce you to Presbyterian minister William James. Rev. James was an prolific preacher and writer in the 1800s. Perhaps his most beneficial work, however, comes through his personal correspondence with folks in and around his ministry.
These letters — which have been compiled, with the assistance of D. L. Moody, in the form of the book, Grace for Grace: Letters of Rev. William James — are a resource to which I resort often. Rev. James’s candor is such an encouragement, as he writes to individuals in varying contexts with varying degrees of spiritual maturity. Almost always, though, the tone of his letters is one of comfort, as he aims to speak the peace and assurance of the gospel into the lives of those to whom he is writing. “It is only,” he writes, “by a constant reliance upon Him who has gained the victory eternally for us that we are kept from sinking.”
I am always benefited by reading these letters, even though I have no clue who the original intended readers were supposed to be. And maybe that’s the point. Because the original recipients of the letters are unknown, I can read these letters as if they were written to me, for me. And that’s where, I think, the true consolation of this book is found. For troubled souls, William James’s Grace for Grace is an exceptional work that continually turns your attention to the assurance you can have in and because of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
May you be blessed by your interaction with this free resource.
Your pastor,
Brad J. Gray
Join us on Sundays for worship at 10am and 6pm. We love gathering around God’s Word and fellowshipping with God’s people and we’d love for you to be apart of that! I pray you will be able to be there with us 🙌
We have Sunday School every Sunday at 9am.
Don’t miss out on some wonderful opportunities to grow in grace with your church family. Join Matt Shively as he walks through “The Names of God” throughout the Bible and gleans timeless truths from God’s titles.
Events & Announcements
The next board meeting is scheduled for TOMORROW, May 4, at 7pm.
Food First Wednesday, for all WOL Club kids, parents, and volunteers, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 5, at 6pm.
The WOL Club closing program will be held NEXT Wednesday, May 12, from 6–8:30pm. Come support the kids and volunteers who’ve made this such a fun and fruitful year of learning God’s Word!
The Walk-Run-Ride for Life is being held at Knoebel’s THIS Saturday, May 8. Registration begins at 9am. The walk will start at 10am. It’s not too late to sign-up! If you have questions regarding this event, please see Brenda Snyder.
This year’s Ladies Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, May 15, at 4pm. Please seen Bonnie Hallman for questions regarding this event.
Men and brothers, there’s another Men’s Bible Study on Saturday, May 22, at 9am. Join us for another time of sharpening in the Word of God.
We have booked dates for this year’s Word of Life Summer Camp, for June 27—July 2! Tickets are now available for students leaving 7th grade through graduating 12th grade. The cost is $240. To reserve your spot, please submit a $50 deposit to either Pastor Nathan or Christa Kersey.
We are currently praying about plans to visit Poland THIS summer, July 8–20. Please lift up this team and this opportunity in prayer as we seek to bring the gospel to the nations! 🙏
Resources
Your faithful giving and support allows us to keep spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you 🙌
“Give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; proclaim his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him; sing praise to him; tell about all his wondrous works! Boast in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” (1 Chron. 16:8–11)
Thank you for being a praying church by taking your church family to the Lord in prayer. If you have a prayer request you want added to the list or if you have an update on any of the requests listed, please contact Pastor Brad. Thank you! 🙏
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