Second Location!!!
Yes it is true. For a long time we knew this day would come. The last few months have seen our church reaching more and more people and the most disappointing thing I have heard from those who visit is, “It is just so packed, I don’t think I can come back.” Well, they were right. It’s hard to admit. Either we change or we will always be what we are today. What we are is great but what we need to be is a perpetual offering of the Gospel to all who want and need to hear. After exploring several options it was clear that we at least needed a temporary solution. Since we have been working hard to keep an internet presence and offer a live weekly service the idea of an internet cafe as a second location was perfect. But where? What about childcare? Would people even come? Many of those questions were very difficult to deal with but the most important answer was, “Yes, people will come.”
A number of places made the short list of hopefuls. The list was quickly thrown away when the owner of Mama Mia’s and I talked. They have graciously opened their business and are asking for very little in return. So, the result will be a venue that is close enough for people to drop off their kids, hang out and enjoy pre-service conversations, then head across the street for service. There will be a large screen image of the live service, refreshments, communication cards…everything from the main service.
So, come grab some coffee. Drop your kids off at the Greenhouse. Hang out and catch up with a friend. Then, if you are up to it…go experience our services live at our Second Site.
Enlarge Our Hearts
Every Christmas we are surrounded by anything and everything to steal our attention away from what we should be celebrating. The mad rush to find the right gift, the desperate dash to transfer money to cover credit card balances, the disappointment of family fights, and even the horror of our favorite coffee place NOT serving eggnog. We tend to get lost in the trivial and miss the significance of a birth. A baby. Lying in a manger and surrounded by people whose lives were interrupted to find that all they had come to know, and all the only way they knew how to live was all wrong. Christmas is certainly a time for generousity, it is a time to brign families together, and a time to celebrate through various ways and traditions. However, the purpose of Christmas is to recognize the birth of a Savior. Sure, we should do this more than one day a year, but this day is set aside for a specific time of focus. The birth of the Jesus should remind us that what we do during this “holiday” should ultimately draw the hearts of those around us to Christ. The difficulty is that our own hearts are rarely drawn to that purpose. This Christmas we will be striving to rid our hearts of the distractions so GOd can give us the greatest gift of all…we are asking that our hearts be full of Him. This in turn, is the sole reason we are praying for God to “Enlarge Our Hearts” so we may have more of what really counts this Christmas. Come and join us as we strive to live our life with hearts full of the Good News that Jesus is alive!
LUKE 2:1-20
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.10 And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Friends, dinner, and fun!
Homes for Christmas!! The holiday season is a time to fellowship and come together to be thankful for everything God has given us. We would like families to come together in small groups to eat dinner, fellowship, and get to know one another. If you would like to host one of these small group dinners in your home, it can be as simple or elaborate as you choose! Meet potluck style or show your culinary hand to everyone in your group…it is your choice. Games…sure, but only if you want to. White elephant gift exchange…always fun and cheap! Mostly this is a great way for us all to make an effort to get better acquainted and have fun doing it. Add your name to the Host’s sign-up sheet this week at church. The fellowships will be scheduled December 11, 12 or 13th. If you have any questions, see Collette Ginn, Jody Fowler, or Cynda Felini or email office@pinoaks.org
Day of Prayer: Saturday, November 14th
One of the joys about being at Pin Oaks is to see the people pray about decisions. There is an overwhelming sense of trust and dependence upon God for our strong leading. This has come from years of God showing Himself to be trustworthy in ALL circumstances. The outcomes don’t always look like our picture of what should happen…but prayer lays the foundation for being able to handle the differences between God’s vision of the future and our own.
Romans 12:9-13 says, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
As followers of Christ we are held to a different standards, and our expectations for living life come from God. So, as we enter into a time of transitions (full building and needing space), and a season of seeking solutions (buy land, rent bigger building, etc) we must do so with the utmost care. It is our desire to seek God from a place of genuine desire. To pray against the evils that will try and keep us from doing what God wants. We need to remain thankful for what we know is true. Love should be our first response to everyone and it should be our greatest joy to bathe others in honor. This time of prayer is to fan the flame of our passion for God in service and hope.
Join us on Saturday, November 14th from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We are asking that you sign-up for a 30 minute slot to come to the church and pray. We will provide you with material to guide you through that journey or you may pray on your own. All in all we need 24 people or couples to pray throughout the day. LOOK FOR SIGN-UPS THIS WEEK IN CHURCH!
