When you look up the verse from Acts 16:5 it reads: “…the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily.” For several months now our vision team (Dave Jewett, Cathy Alexander, Steve Cooper, John Linder, Claudia Sursa, Dan House, Melissa Daniels and myself) have been meeting twice a month attempting to discern where the Holy Spirit was leading us into the future here at First Presbyterian Church.

What is it that we can do as a vision team to facilitate spiritual growth of our present members and numerical growth of new members seeking a church that offer a solid biblical witness? How does transformation happen so people are not satisfied with superficial spirituality but open to a life-changing experience with Jesus Christ?

After hours of prayer and weeks of discussion the first stage we proposed to Session in December was a Lenten sermon series on Dr. Glen McDonald‟s book, Living Beyond the Sanctuary. This is to be accompanied by small groups meeting to read and discuss each week‟s lesson. Our experience last year with a similar model using The Purpose Driven Life was positive. Glen McDonald‟s book, we feel, goes deeper and will provide wonderful opportunities for dialogue as well as personal growth and witness.

Topics that we will cover in the sermon series will revolve around being a lifelong learner as Christ‟s disciple, surrender, paying attention to God‟s Word and intention for our lives, practicing God‟s Presence with prayer and daily interactions with others, widening our circle of love by getting involved in social action, being “salt and light” and what it means to be a citizen of God‟s Kingdom.

In this sermon series and small group study we expect lives to be changed and growth to take place. Dave and I will be preaching on the very essence of our Christian faith and for those who think they need some basic training … this is it!

Catch the excitement as we move into Lent! Pray for our Acts 16:5 team as we prepare for what we are sure will be a powerful experience for our whole congregation.

Books will be on sale in the office in January.
With much love as your pastor,