Good Friday morning dear Church Requel!
This coming Sunday we will continue our study of Ephesians 1. As we begin our study of verse 15 we discover that the chapter transitions from a study of who we are in Christ (blessed, chosen, adopted, insiders, heirs) to how we should pray for other Christians. Paul sets the example with how he prays for the those within the church at Ephesus.
I have found this study to be of so much help to me. I am thrilled beyond belief to hear so many of you say the same thing. I can tell that you are really tracking with me. As Leanna told us last Sunday, this has been a "WOW" kind of study! This Sunday Paul transitioned with these words in verse 15: "For this reason..." In other words, because you are blessed, chosen, adopted, insiders and heirs... He goes on to say that he has heard about their faith and so he remembers them and thanks God for them.
As you'll find out Sunday, this got me to thinking... does anyone ever thank God for our faith? Is your faith in God memorable? I promise you it is, because I also pray for each one of you. I hope you do the same for me. Show up Sunday morning ready for a new adventure in the Scripture.
For those of you who want a head start, you can find the sermon in your Bible app under Events, or you can click this link: http://bible.com/events/48789064
For those of you who can't attend in person but would like to watch online, you can go to our Facebook page Sunday morning or you can watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/AGHy73AwCm4
New Song Sunday: "When He Chose Me." You may be tired of hearing me say it, but I have not yet tired of saying, "Thank you," to all of you who showed me such love and appreciation when you gave me the gift of the electric ukulele. Seriously, I can't stop playing it.
Over the course of the last two months with the study of Ephesians 1, I've been composing a brand new song for us to sing at Church Requel. It's called, "When He Chose Me," and I'd like to debut the song for you this Sunday. I really hope you will like it and want to sing it too. (You'll have the opportunity to sing it as a congregation in two weeks!) Anyway, the gift of the ukulele has inspired me to continue with music composition. So thank you all. I truly hope it is a gift I can return to you all over and over.
Here are some of the lyrics to the song:
How could I be worth your choice?
Over me You do rejoice!
Why do I stand out to You?
I am filled with so much blessing
Living life - no longer guessing
Hard to conceive
So help me to believe
You've chosen me...I am chosen, I'm adopted
I'm a child of the King!
I am holy, I am blameless -
To this promise I cling
It's not about deserving of
It's all about my God above!
It's all about my God's great love
When He chose me!
I'm really looking forward to singing this for you. I pray that the song will be as encouraging to you as it has been to me.
So Much Is Happening In November that we have asked Cindy to share announcements with you this Sunday. We haven't been including an announcement time in our services this year, but so much is going on in November that we thought it would be a good idea to remind you all. Here are just a few of the things you need to know about:
- The time changes a week from Sunday (NOT this Sunday) - the first Sunday in November. So that week make sure you get that extra hour of sleep! Yay!
- Special Night Of Worship - Saturday November 13th at 6:30 pm at Grace Church in Lexington (215 W. Main)
- Godsfield Thanksgiving Week services - 7 worship services, 7 different churches, all to say "thank you" to God. There is a signup in the lobby of Church Requel. We would like at least one representative from our church to attend each one. So far we only have one service accounted for. Would you pick one you will attend this Sunday morning?
- Thanksgiving Celebration Potluck and Concert at Church Requel on November 28th. We will have our regular worship service at 11am. Then we'll enjoy a potluck meal together. Then at 1pm we will come back upstairs for a worship concert. Many of our Godsfield churches will also come and join us at our concert. Let's be good hosts!
Samaritan Purse Operation Christmas Child. Take a box. Shop for a child. Bless a child somewhere in the world, who might not have a Christmas without you. Thank you so much Cindy, for heading this up for us each Christmas season. We all appreciate you! More info here: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
Are you at all like me? Just marveling at what God chooses to accomplish through our small church? I am so amazed at your love and your faith! I do thank God for each of you each day!
Love you much! Pastor Mark
