A Word to Deacons, Teachers, and Leaders – We have a great church blessed by a Savior, a great God, who has left us His Holy Spirit as a guide to direct our path. The Spirit of God speaks and we listen. What does He say to us regarding our purpose, our passion, our focus as a church? I would not presume what the Holy Spirit says exactly, but what I do know is that the Spirit has the same focus as the Son, and the Son has the same focus as the Father. And the focus of God is always pointed toward redemption. The three are always leading us toward redeeming and reconciling a lost world. I think we know that theologically, but we must live it practically. One way all of us as leaders can live it, is to set the example for our classes and our groups in reaching out to those who do not know God, to those who are out of fellowship with God, and to those who are not involved in His church. When I say our church has a great future, my words are founded on two things. They are founded on the passion of an almighty God who does not desire that even one of these little ones perish. They are also founded on our willingness to step up and live evangelistically, not just theologically, but practically. What that means is that our future must be owned by each of us as leaders, as individuals, who hear the voice of God.

      On October 3, we have a great opportunity as a church, as leaders, to live out our One Heart commitments before those we lead. We have an opportunity to find friends and bring them to church on that Sunday. Some may not come, but may need more work, but let's set the example in building relationships and inviting those friends to our Bible study groups and Worship.

      If everyone brings a friend we will have a house full and running over. Please announce to your class that you are planning to bring a friend and encourage them to do the same. Please set the example as a deacon, teacher, and leader by taking ownership of the future of this great church. God will bless our efforts.

     Increased Outreach Efforts – On the last three Mondays in September, I want to encourage all GROWS team members to come and participate in outreach. We are going to make calls, but we are also going to do “drive-abouts” in East Ridge and meet people. If you can come, please come and help us. We will put two or four in a car and randomly visit with people in our city. It will be exciting and fun. And what is most important is that it works.

   Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10: 16-17,

“Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.”

Paul speaks of a marvelous, miraculous transformation that takes place in the lives of those who believe. Come celebrate that transformation this morning in our Worship Service as we observe the Lord’s Supper (Communion) together as one body. I look forward to seeing you.