Pastor’s Quarterly Report – July 2015
Summer is a
great time to live in the Boothbay region, as we enjoy beautiful weather as
well as the events and activities around town.
Summer also presents strategic opportunities for ministry as we
experience a flood of summer residents, tourists, and seasonal workers from
around the world. We want to be open to
opportunities to reach out to the mission field at our door.
Our “God
and Country Day” celebration featured an excellent challenge from our visiting
speaker and a good reminder of the Christian “roots” of our country. May we be faithful in being witnesses to
those in our sphere of influence. Preparations
for another important summer outreach, Vacation Bible School, are underway,
with a team of volunteers led once again by Doris South. VBS is a great opportunity to reconnect with
our Word of Life Olympian kids during the summer break, and also to meet some
new friends and their families. If you
haven’t been approached and would like to lend a hand, talk to Doris!
Later this
month we’ll host the new Hope Haitian Choir during their rehearsal days before
they begin their summer tour. Our church
is privileged to have a small part in encouraging this ministry which brings to
light what God is doing in the midst of difficult circumstances in that nation.
How can each of
us be “salt and light” in our community?
We have volunteers involved with the Boothbay Region Food Pantry as well
as the Community Resource Group, which
help us “have a pulse” on some of the needs in our community. Even more important
is the realization that every one of us has been strategically placed where we
are by the Lord, and that means we constantly have “divinely appointed
encounters” where we can be a witness for the Lord. Seize those moments!
Some of our
small groups have taken a break for the summer, while at least one or two have
continued. I believe the elder board is
united in seeing the value of these groups and we would encourage your
involvement either now, or starting in the fall when all of our groups
restart. These meetings are small enough
for interaction and sharing at a personal level. It is a context in which we
can bear one another’s burdens, encourage one another, and grow together. Our Thursday night group at the parsonage has
a time of praise as we sing together, a discussion of the preaching portion
from the previous week, and a time of prayer (all of which is followed by
snacks and fellowship!).
A different
kind of small group has developed on Wednesday night, as we share a devotional
from the book of Psalms, share testimonies and praises based on what God has
been doing during the week, and then pray together, bringing the prayer needs
of the church, our extended families, our community and the world before the
throne of grace. Have you come to a prayer
meeting lately? Come expecting a blessing and you will be blessed! We also have
a morning prayer meeting and coffee time for men at 6:30 AM on Tuesdays at the
parsonage. If you are in the area and available, we would invite you join us!
I’ve been challenged in studying and
preaching Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church this year. We’ve
encountered challenging and relevant topics that at times push us (and me!) out
of our comfort zones, but hopefully encourage us to know Jesus better and to
love him more. It’s been my privilege to
be available for counselling for couples and individuals and I am encouraged at
the work God is doing in our families. Let’s stay engaged this summer, as we
seek to know Him and make Him known!
Your co-workers in Christ,
Pastor
Steve and Mary Ann
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