Wednesday, February 26, 2014

So, What's Next?


So what’s next? It is always the question on my heart and mind. What is our Father doing and how may we join Him? You may or may not know that God has allowed us to join Him in a significant ministry of recovery. Sunday evening Celebrate Recovery is growing to record levels. We are now offering ministry on ‘Sunday nights to preschoolers, children and youth. Children will be involved in Celebration Station and Youth will be following Life Hurts/God Heals. Both are designed to help strengthen families. Right now, we offer the only Transition House that I know of in Charleston. The need is great. We could fill another house if we had one. The only other Transition House closed down while they regroup and retool their ministry.


We currently have two new residents at the Transition House. They will have four children between them. We might just leave the number at two for the time being. Our Recovery Team offers their services and ministries to other churches and organizations, seeking to go where our Father is working.


What is He doing in your Connection Group? I love knowing that our groups are outward focused, seeking to take the Light of Christ to areas of darkness in our communities. If your Connection Group needs help finding a ministry or knowing where to get started, please know we stand ready to help. Our prayers and commitment are yours for the asking. We might currently be planning some mission work that would interest you and your group. Perhaps the Florence Crittenton Home, literacy mentors at Murray-Lasaine Elementary School, volunteering at James Island Outreach, the Transition House families, Lowcountry Pregnancy Center, etc. We will be glad to help you discover where you can plug in. Ask your Connection Group leaders how you can help.


You are the light of the world. Let your light so shine that the world may see your good works and give glory to our Father in heaven.

Pastor Tom


Wednesday Night

This Wednesday night, I will begin a study on the book of Romans. This will be a trial study. If the attendance warrants, we will continue. If not, we will go back to a video driven Bible Study that does not require an additional 8 hours of preparation. If you are interested in this study of Romans, join us in the Library/Conference room on Wednesday evenings, 6:30-7:30.


Wednesday, February 19, 2014

LOWCOUNTRY PREGNANCY CENTER FUND RAISING BANQUET


We have reserved a table for 10 at this year’s fund raising banquet. We have 5 seats available for anyone that would like to go. Let me tell you up front, this is a fund raising banquet. The idea is to invite people who will give. I also think it is a good way to introduce people to the ministry and mission of the Lowcountry Pregnancy Center even if you do not give a dime. This year’s guest speaker will be Senator Rick Santorum.

The banquet will be held on Thursday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Ballroom, 5055 International Boulevard, North Charleston. By the way, they are doing it differently this year. It does not cost anything to “reserve” a table. So, your Connection Group could reserve a table and commit to fill it with 10 people. In the past, one could reserve a table for a certain amount of money. That helped with the cost of the banquet. This year, not so much. So anyone, say, Women on Mission or a Connection Group, could reserve their own table and commit to filling it with 10 people. Again, the idea is to raise funds for this very important ministry. One person needs to serve as the “table host”. Once you reserve your table, they will send you the host pack. Janie is serving as the host for our table. The host just makes sure you have 10 people at your table. They do not want to waste the meal or an empty seat.

This is a worthwhile event. It certainly makes for an inspirational and informative night. Let the office know right away if you are interested in attending or in reserving a table. We will get you the information you need.

You can find more information at www.lowcountrypregnancycenter.com

Blessings,

Pastor Tom


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Hallelujah, What a blessing!

This past Sunday we had several guests in the worship service. Among those visiting was a very special one to me: my grandson ,Wyatt. I did not know he was coming and I did not know he was in the service. I learned afterwards that Trey, Erin and Wyatt were in worship for the first time since 2 months before he was born. It might have been a good thing I did not know. There would have been a “Lion King” like moment of holding Simba for everyone to see. There is a very real downside to being the family of the Pastor! At any rate, welcome to your church family Wyatt Trey Wilkins. What a great day to be in the house of the Lord.

LORDSHIP: POSITION, POSSESSION, PERMISSION

I have started a new teaching series on Lordship. This past Sunday we focused on the Position of Lordship. The word “Lord” appears over 6,000 times in the Bible and is found in almost every Book of the Bible. The Apostle Paul uses it over 200 times in reference to Jesus. “Jesus is Lord” is the creed and confession of the New Testament Church.

Philippians 2:11 reminds us that one day every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. The position of Lordship is a bowed knee to an exalted Lord. He is God and I am not. The heart of every sin in my life is my desire to be god, to be the authority, to exalt my will over His. You have heard me say often that sin is trying to meet a legitimate need in an illegitimate way. Our Heavenly Father has provided what we need. Remember Psalm 23: “The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not be in want.” When I decide I want what I want when I want it and will get it however I want to, I have declared my position on Lordship. It is not the bowed knee before an exalted Lord. It is an exalted ego. Choosing to be the ultimate authority of my life has caused my crash and burn moments and experiences. My way did not work. I came to realize there is a God and I am not Him. So, I begin a lifetime and a lifestyle of acknowledging Jesus is Lord. I quote Psalm 139 asking God to search my heart and reveal unclean, unhealthy, unholy ways in my life. It is a process that will continue until I breathe my last breath here on earth and open my eyes in glory. So today, afresh and anew, I bow my knee and confess with my mouth “Jesus Christ is Lord”.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom


Tuesday, February 4, 2014

HOW COULD IT HAVE BEEN BETTER?

I can tell you that last Saturday evening around 6:30, your church staff was busy texting back and forth about tailgate party and the rain that was falling! Wow, what a nail biter. As it turned out, the day, the weather, the details could not have been better. Susan Warren and our Connection groups did an outstanding job putting together what may have been our best ever outside event. I do not know of one detail I would have changed. My thanks to our fantastic Kitchen Krew for the dogs and burgers and the 20 tailgaters that provided a fantastic variety of delicious food and fun entertainment.


The ultimate goal was to help people “Connect” with God, with other believers and with the community. The challenge of every church family and group in the church is to move outside of themselves to reach out…to be outwardly focused. I absolutely love the way our church family is moving in this direction more and more. The fact that we all have different people groups or causes that we are passionate about makes it even more wonderful. God surely loves variety….look how he made us! You may be drawn to a group because of those currently in the group. You might also be drawn to a group because you have an affinity with the cause they are championing. Either way, I encourage you to plug into a group that will help you connect with God, with other believers and with the community. It does not take a lot of light to make the darkness flee. Just because we cannot solve every social ill does not mean we can’t make a difference to someone. Le your light so shine that people will see your good works and give glory to our Father in Heaven.


Two new Connection Groups have just been started. Please remember than in your prayers as they launch together. We are praying for the “DNA” of every group to include the commitment to connect with God (growing spiritually); connecting with other believers (doing life together); and connecting with the community (making a difference in an area of need).


Could Sunday morning have been better? Maybe…I am just not sure how! To God be the glory.


See you Sunday, good Lord willing,


Pastor Tom