January 24, 2013
Dear Fam,
SRPC is launching a campaign to aggressively take our mission into the future. We're calling it MORE. We want more gospel, more families and more mission. In other words, we want more Jesus, more opportunities to impact families and children with the gospel and more sacrificial service to our community. We aim to build a preschool (to replace our current "temporary" portables), build athletic fields on our 40-acre site off Southern Blvd., strengthen our Christian school for growth, and pay off the remaining debt on our student ministry building ($670,000). That's a lot to accomplish over the next three years and it will require us believing that our God is able to do even MORE than we can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20,21). We are asking every member and friend of SRPC to attend their small group (Men's Group, Women's Group, Life Groups) the first two weeks of February so we can further unveil this future mission. All those without small groups are asked to stay after either the Ash Wednesday service (Feb. 13) or the Saturday service on Feb. 16 or the Sunday 10:50 service the following day for a 25-minute meeting. This weekend at worship, I'll be asking you to fill out a card in the bulletin to indicate which of these meetings you'll be attending! With the Father's sweet blessing propelling us, SRPC is seizing the future, anxious to see our Father do even MORE!
- Three articles worthy of reading, "Women in Combat and the Undoing of Civilization" by Denny Burk; a New York Times article entitled, "A Roomful of Yearning and Regret" which exposes poignantly the pain and ruin of marital infidelity and "My Train Wreck Conversion" which tells the story of Rosaria Butterfield's journey from a leftist lesbian professor who despised Christians to a follower of Jesus. Copies of the book, The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert, are available in our bookstore.
- Moms and dads, are you on top of the upcoming student ministry retreats? This is a prime parenting opportunity--get your kids there by hook or by crook! Middle School Mid-Winter Retreat / High School Get-Away 2013.
- The Bible tells us to bear one another's burdens. Would you pray for three of our members who are fighting a difficult battle with cancer? Margaret Christensen, Peggy Cardinali and Tim Ott. Drop them a note to let them know you're in the fight with them! Margaret--4455 N. Pine Valley Loop, Lecanto, Fl. 34461; Peggy--335 E Knightsbridge PL, Lecanto, FL 34461-9152; Tim--2 N. Shadow Wood Dr., Inverness, Fl. 34450.
- Mission trips change lives! Here are the upcoming trips: Mexico Mission Trip; June 1-8, 2013, the Family Mission Trip to Montgomery, AL-- July 13-20, 2013 and the High school Mission Trip to New Orleans to do Katrina relief is in July.
- Are you serving somewhere at SRPC? Those serving are having the most fun! A Pastor's Class attendee (not even a member yet) is volunteering to lead a Teen MOPS Bible study. Another PC attendee asked me last night how they could join the Disaster Relief Team. Over 1,200 people attend SRPC each weekend--what an army of volunteers! Take a look at this last weekend's bulletin insert again and find your place to serve in our Father's business.
- Have you read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)? This weekend, I'm preaching on Matthew 5:17-26. The funeral for Julie Sineus is at noon Saturday at SRPC. The Women's Retreat is Friday night and Saturday morning. It's a full weekend for the family of God and I'm anxious for us to share it together.
Love,
Ray
