I THANK MY GOD WHENEVER I THINK OF YOU...
What a great greeting. This is what Paul says to his friends and fellow believers in Philippi in the beginning of his letter that he sends them while he is under house arrest in Rome. Honestly, that is how I feel and what I do when I think of you! We are so blessed to have such a healthy Family of Believers...not perfect, but healthy and loving! And I thank my God for you! A few weeks ago I began to recognize the unsung heroes of our FCC Family. (I will probably do that more in the future.) However, nearly every single member of this Church Family fits that description, and I thank you for it! An example, this weekend a neighbor is getting married at our Church. We are excited for them and are glad that they could utilize the beauty of FCC for this special event. The Morenas, and I feel like I should name them the Mighty Morenas!, are helping out, giving of their time and talents, from tear down, sound, and set up. They don't have to do this, but they are and don't think twice about it. Several, especially Mark Long, will come by the Church to make sure it is clean and ready for Sunday. Matt, Olan, and my awesome wife, Patti, prepare and present the Bible Study on Sunday morning, as does Michael on Wednesday nights. Ms. Val makes sure the communion is ready every Sunday morning. And she and Marsha make sure every event, especially potluck, is ready in the Grace Center. Marsha makes sure the tithes and offerings are deposited and accounted for. The Blounts produced our new Welcome and Prayer Request cards, as well as updating and keeping current our Website, along with photos from Mark Long. And the list goes on and on and on...and it includes you! I hesitate to mention the folks above because none of them want to be recognized, and I want to make sure that no one feels left out, because EVERYONE is critically important!
I really believe 2023 is going to be an incredible year at FCC. As the year is still in its infancy stage, I ask you to prayerfully consider how you can join in, serve, and most of all grow. I am reading the Bible through this year and have had a few mention that they want to do the same. If you do not have a translation of the scripture that you can easily read, or better yet, understand, please let me know and I will get you one. (I have many.)
Please know that you are important, matter, and are actually irreplaceable! Paul wrote to the Believers in Corinth, and reminds us that: "There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy." (I Corinthians 12:12,26) Let's continue to be the Body that is honored as we Worship, Celebrate Life in Christ, and Live Big!
Sunday I will begin a series on Philippians. I will be using an expository style of preaching which is taking the scripture verse by verse. I am excited about this opportunity and an in depth, closer look at Paul's Letter to his friends and believers in Philippi. And also what he has to say to us at FCC today. And remember, Sunday Morning Bible Study, for Adults and Children, starts back this Sunday morning at 9:30. I hope you will join us.
And remember, as always...
You ARE Loved!
Pastor Lonnie