CHANGING SEASONS

We live in a delightful place where we can enjoy the changing seasons. How boring it would be if it was always the same. Change is the way creation was designed to be ever new and exiting. I look forward to each new season. Hawaii is a great place to visit but I couldn’t stand to live there.

God’s church needs to do the same thing, change! Have you noticed that we are getting younger and more diverse? What a blessing and what a wonderful challenge for us to keep ourselves relevant!

We need to be constantly open to new and exciting ways to work for Jesus in West Valley City – that is our mission field. Hopefully, we’ll see gradual changes in the way we do church so that we might continue to be vital in our witness. An increase in the importance of prayer, an increase in the leadership of our youth and a gradual reduction in the amount of “business” we conduct during worship are some of the improvements you can expect to see.

We will also experiment with new ways to get you involved in adult education. To be a Christian to expect the benefits promised by our Lord requires more than a “brush by” once a week.

It’s your soul we’re trying to save – and we can’t do it alone.

Ron

CATCHING UP WITH CAROLYN

I certainly want to echo Ron’s assertion that a once a week “brush-by” is not enough adult education. First of all, if you are using weekly sermons as your Christian Education, you’re not even getting SKIM milk (1Corinthians 3:1-2). You NEED Bible Study. We all do. The number in attendance at the Tuesday night Bible studies is pathetic! The Sunday morning Sunday School classes fare a little better, but not much. When we ask YOU what you want, many of you indicated you want more Bible study. Then, when we establish studies, the very ones who requested it are not in attendance. (Frustrating!)

The Central Rocky Mountain Region is currently engage in a process of self examination and visioning for the future. We are invited to an interactive session in Denver of the 14^th and 15^th. Although we often feel separation because of distance, our input is important. One of the issues being wrestled with is how to utilize modern communication techniques to keep churches like ours in touch and vital to the health of the Region. Ron, Sandra, Diana and I will be flying over for this meeting (there are some $49 flights to Denver that weekend, if you hurry) and we would love to have more of you go with us.

I want to still believe that it’s summer, but we are now preparing for Advent and the Christmas holiday. The economy being what it is, without the “proper” attitude toward Christmas, this could be a time of great stress. Please try to remember that Jesus is the reason for the season, and over-spending, over-commitment and becoming over-tired and over-stressed does not bring glory to the one whose birth we celebrate.

Here’s two ways to save money during this time:

1.      consider going back to the “old-fashioned” idea of making something

special for your loved ones rather than spending too much for something

that may or may not bring them any more happiness.

2.      Instead of mailing Christmas cards to your church family, plan to bring

one card for everyone to church. We’ll have a place to display them.

Save on cards and postage!

May the Peace of God be with each of you during this blessed season!