Dear Friends,
We’ve been talking about people of the Bible who found faith. I entitled this series “Faith Quest” because so many people seem to be on a quest to find God and faith. True enough, we are on a journey during this lifetime, one that is not merely physical as we grow older and more mature, but also a spiritual one, searching for meaning, truth, beauty, and goodness.
There is something all four of these Bible figures have in common, something similar in their Faith Quest. In the end, it wasn’t so much that they “found God” as God found them. We, humans, strive and seek, looking to find God when really God is the One who comes to us. Remember we call Him “Emmanuel” – God with us. In the Bible, God reveals himself whether by angels, by his voice, by a sheer silence, or in Jesus Christ to the people when they need it. We sing about this truth in many of our hymns: Descend to us we pray, Come to us, Abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel; Spirit of the Living God, fall a fresh on us; etc.
Yes, Jesus tells us “Seek and you will find,” but not in the way that ancient Greeks would have looked for gods on Mt. Olympus or Buddists would find the Buddha sitting in a remote temple. As Christians, our search for the Creator God leads us deeper inward and deeper into relationship with one another. Rarely have I heard of someone who finds God “out there somewhere.” God is a personal and loving God. So it seems more the case that we find God when we look on the face of our sister or brother, or cultivate a thoughtful, personal way of talking with God within our souls (a.k.a. prayer). I hope you were encouraged and even challenged by these four figures—Bartimaus, Job, Gideon, and Peter. I know when you and I need it most, God will show his face and reveal his glory.
On Sunday, we begin a new sermon series called “The Great I AM: The I AM Sayings of Jesus.” There are 7 found in the Gospel of John. But we’ll start with God revealing himself and his name to Moses in Exodus 3 first. See you this weekend!
Peace, Pastor Amber
Next Sunday Feb. 14th…
· Shawn Sutta will be back with us to provide special music. We are thrilled that he will be bringing a Bluegrass band from the Lighthouse ministry. Bring your friends and neighbors!
· Also, we encourage you to wear RED. Not only for Valentines’ Day but for Women’s Heart Health Awareness. Our health ministry will be passing out information.
Other Announcements-
· Our flower chart needs sponsors! Most of February, March and April are empty for dedications. The donation is $15. If you don’t care to keep the flowers, the church will share them with a nursing home or the sick.
· Our sincere apologies to those who purchased January SHARE food packages. As you know, on Saturday there was an error and we did not have a food order for you to pick up. We will be giving those who paid for January a raincheck for February. We will be taking NEW orders for February on Sunday the 7th and 14th in the Fellowship Center.
· Our Preschool and Kindergarten will be having an Open House for new students on Thursday, Feb. 18th at 9:30AM. Church members receive a 10% tuition discount. Registration begins in March. Pass the word!
· The Craft Group and Scrapbooking Club have resumed…check your newsletter calendars!
–
