Good afternoon, church family!
It doesn’t take much for our week to get busy, and if we’re not careful it’ll just fly by!
So let’s take a moment to pause and reflect a bit on Paul’s call to forgive “as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13) It’s a high standard and one that, perhaps, is foolishness in the eyes of the world.
But consider the consequences of not forgiving someone. To withhold forgiveness is to hold onto a hurt. Whether it’s a grudge, a resentment or even just the pain of being hurt, holding onto those things can get heavy. And if we hold on too long and too many times, we can start to look like this donkey attached to a heavy burden.
Forgiveness of our sins is exactly the reason Jesus came to dwell among us and, eventually, die for us. We simply receive that forgiveness for our sins. Then we are called to extend that same forgiveness to those who have wronged us.
This past Sunday, we looked at Paul’s teaching on forgiveness in Colossians 3:13. If you’d like to hear from Jesus, here are His thoughts on the topic:
Matthew 6:9-14
Luke 17:3-4
Luke 13:32-34
I also mentioned the important work by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs in his book Love and Respect, which I highly recommend to couples who have found their relationship stuck in a crazy cycle.
This week I’m praying for that Holy Spirit-inspired spark of love and respect to become a catalyst to renew relationships that have been broken for far too long. I’m praying that hardened hearts would be softened, relational wounds would be healed and past hurts would give way to new creation. Only the Holy Spirit working through us can produce such miracles, but that is exactly what the Lord has promised!
Keep scrolling to check out a few important reminders below, and don’t forget that your pastor loves you!
--Pastor Billy
THIS WEEKEND
This Saturday at 10 a.m. is the next meeting for our cancer support group. Use the main entrance to meet in the front room directly to the left as you enter the church. Contact Dick Graham for more information.
The south entrance to the church will be used this Saturday morning by student leaders of Southeast High School for a special thrift drive to sell gently used clothing and other items at a reduced rate to help the community. All are welcome to stop by to support this generous project led by Southeast High School students.
We’re asking everyone who attends our church to confirm and update your household contact info before the upcoming holiday season. We’ve made copies of our directory available on the table in the back of the sanctuary for you to review. PLEASE don’t take these directories away from the table! Just check your name to make sure we have the most updated info (or add your name and info if you don’t see it!). You can also call Brenda in the church office during the week to confirm your contact info at (316) 682-9522. Thank you!
This Sunday evening is Hanging of the Greens! Meet at the church at 4 p.m. to help us decorate for the upcoming Christmas season and stick around to enjoy a soup dinner. Thanks to all who can help!
GET INVOLVED THIS CHRISTMAS! Here are a few easy ways to spread some joy:
ANGEL TREE: This is a fun, simple way to minister to local, marginalized children by providing Christmas gifts that they have specifically requested. Look for the Angel Tree in our church lobby (and grab some really festive socks as well!). Gifts are due back by Dec. 15.
CHRISTMAS CARD POST OFFICE: Our teens will once again offer this service to help deliver Christmas cards to households who attend our church. The price is 25 cents per card starting Dec. 1 and the teens will be delivering cards through Dec. 22. Thanks for supporting our teens!
CHRISTMAS PASTOR SPONSORSHIP: Each Christmas we as a church get the opportunity to adopt a local Nazarene pastor from the Kansas District. This year we get to bless Pastor David Martinez at Eastridge Church of the Nazarene. To be a part of our church-wide effort to bless Pastor David, please turn in your Christmas cards, notes of encouragement, gift cards, checks and/or cash marked “District Christmas Pastor” by Sunday, Dec. 15. Thank you!
INVITE & ATTEND THIS CHRISTMAS! We’ll soon have invite cards to take and help you invite neighbors, friends and coworkers to these special Christmas worship events:
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP NIGHT: Celebrate the season on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. with a special evening of Christmas worship that includes some of your favorite Christmas songs and the receiving of Communion together.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: Invite the whole family for an hour on Christmas Eve to hear the true Christmas story and sing along to a candlelight service from 6-7 p.m. in our sanctuary.
JUST FOR FUN
Hey, you read Pastor Billy's midweek check-in all the way to the end! As a reward, check out these crazy stories I came across recently:
Perhaps the funniest part of Sunday’s Kids Moment was when a little sister decided to speak up and make a clarification.
An airplane was grounded after 132 hamsters on board escaped and began roaming free around the aircraft. It took four days to recapture all of them.
Only 35 days until Christmas: For that loved one with taste, Neiman Marcus will allow that special someone to create their own custom chandelier made out of Baccarat crystal. And it only costs $75,000.00.
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