Good afternoon, church family,
What a fantastic Sunday we had together last week! It was wonderful to see so many guests. I know several of you went out of your way to invite someone, and you all did a fantastic job.
As I have prayed and sought the Lord regarding how He wants to grow our church, I continue to believe His plan for us is that we would grow relationally. I don\u2019t think He desires for our church to grow primarily through advertising campaigns or hype, but through people inviting their friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members into biblical community.
Have you ever noticed how Jesus built the original church? There was no marketing campaign. There were no programs. There was simply an invitation: Come and follow Me. We have the joy of continuing to make that same invitation to those around us\u2014Come follow us as we follow Christ, and together we will grow into everything He desires for us to become.
1 Corinthians 11:1 (CSB) \u2014 \u201cImitate me, as I also imitate Christ.\u201d
Easter is, of course, a wonderful opportunity to invite people, but every Sunday is a resurrection day for us. How beautiful would it be if we treated every Sunday as uncommon\u2014seeing each one as an opportunity to invite people to meet Christ by coming into the community of Christ.
Jesus has empowered us by His life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to the Father\u2019s right hand. Because He has given us His Holy Spirit as the down payment of our salvation, we have the power to do these things, and He has given us authority to continue what He started. I hope that you and I will continue to take seriously the beautiful opportunity before us: to participate with Jesus in His mission to draw as many people to Himself as possible.
It is our heart and desire\u2014because it is the heart and desire of the Lord\u2014to see Tulakes Covenant Fellowship grow through relational discipleship. We can do this together with the Lord\u2019s help. I have great confidence in Him and in our partnership with Him. Let\u2019s go and rescue our broken and hurting friends together.
Jude 1:22\u201323 (CSB) \u2014 \u201cHave mercy on those who waver; save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.\u201d
Join us in the morning for fellowship groups at 9:30 and for worship at 10:45. I am very much looking forward to spending time with you\u2014that we might mutually encourage and equip one another with the gifts the Holy Spirit has given us as a body of believers. Our focus passage for tomorrow is Philippians 3:12\u201321, as we consider the single-minded pursuit to which we have been called, immersing our lives in it by the power of Christ. I believe we will be greatly encouraged as we engage this together.
We also have the joy of celebrating two more baptisms tomorrow. The Lord has been very gracious to our church lately\u2014this will be the fourth week in a row with a baptism. I don\u2019t believe I\u2019ve seen that in all my years of ministry. What a grace.
May we continue to pray for one another, encourage one another, and believe the best about one another. By doing these things, we create an atmosphere in which the Lord loves to work. I hope and pray that your Saturday has been wonderful so far, and that the rest of your day is restful and rooted in Christ\u2019s goodness toward you.
The women\u2019s ministry fundraiser dinner is one week from today. If you have not purchased tickets yet, they will be available tomorrow from Debbie O\u2019Neil. This will be a homemade Italian dinner, and the ladies have worked hard to prepare meatballs and other dishes\u2014especially Pam Dihmes. Pam cooks in a traditional Italian way, so you know the food is going to be on point. All proceeds will support our women\u2019s ministry.
Grace and peace be with each and every one of you. I will see you in the morning.
In His steps,
Pastor Nick
Philippians 3:17 (CSB) \u2014 \u201cJoin in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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