Pastor Brad has been in Colorado for a winter pastor's conference combined with a family vacation. Chaplain Travis Kahlstorf filled in today. Chuck welcomed us and gave us an update on Brad's trip, which included nearly losing a wheel because he forgot to tighten some lugnuts. He and the family will be back safely tomorrow evening.Announcements
~The Valentine's Dinner will be produced by Chef Leonard on Saturday, February 14. There's a sign-up sheet in the back, or RSVP by contacting Brad. "Chef Micah" now works at a couple restaurants and will not be available on this busiest of busy nights in the restaurant trade.
~Next Sunday there will be a special meeting after the service to provide an update on our church building project. After the meeting all the women will meet make Valentine's for the ministry. Bring a light lunch or appetizer. There will also be the Secret Sister reveal and selections for the upcoming year.
~For other activities scroll down to the calendar at the bottom of this blog.
We opened the service by singing As the Hart. Chuck then shared story of mud turtle up on a post, legs flailing... can see the lake, but can't get there. Sin is like that post that holds us away from the living waters and leaves us flailing in futility.
"Bless the Lord who reigns in beauty, bless the Lord who reigns with wisdom and with power..."
After an opening prayer, Darlene, Chuck and Ken then sang "All Is Well."
We sang a number of songs from the Silver Songbook today, and afterwards there was a lot of handshaking and welcoming. During the offering the trio sang Andrea Crouch's "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power." And after a time of prayer Chuck introduced our speaker who is a chaplain at 16 race tracks.
Gospel Basics
In his introductory remarks Chaplain Travis shared a little about conducting services at the race tracks and opportunities to reach people who may never step foot inside a church.Travis talked about the various Christmas movies and animated classics like Charlie Brown's Christmas Special and others. Each has a unique angle. Some, like Charlie Brown or the Claymation Christmas, emphasize the real Christmas story. Some are less connected to the meaning of the season.
He then commented on how Christmas church services are usually the most packed. But since the attendance before, afterward and throughout the year is less, Travis wondered how well many of these people really understand the meaning of Christmas.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 says,
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
God listens when we call. But sometimes we do not find him because, as it says in verse 13, we fail to seek Him with all our hearts.
He then shared the fundamentals of the Gospel, beginning with the acknowledgement that we are sinners. We cannot blame circumstances or others for our actions.
Second, recognize that Jesus died on the cross for you.
Third, repent of your sins. It's not enough to be sorry for our wrongs. We need to change our ways. To get right with God means I have to obey Him.
Fourth, receive Christ into your life. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock."
Fifth, do it publicly. Matthew 10:33
Sixth, do it now. Isaiah 55:6
Travis grew up a Christian but did not always live it. Then one day God got hold of him, and he realized he couldn't sit on the fence.
Think about where your heart is today. Don't miss out on the free gift God has for you.
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