42 Days of Purpose: The Life of the Church

It was one year ago that our church began a journey called "40 Days of Purpose." I have heard your stories about how our church was energized, united, focused, and inspired by the process. Small groups were formed for fellowship and mission. People found a new sense of urgency in their call to serve Jesus. We remembered our mission to be "a family of believers-welcoming everyone, spreading God's Word, and fulfilling spiritual needs."

Shortly after you finished the "40 days", I came to be your pastor. I have been in awe of your faithfulness, humbled by your generosity, and excited about our ministry together. I have seen the birth of new ministries, like our outdoor ministry and Jr. MYF. I have watched as faithful and established teams, like the Mustard Seeds, answered their call to nurture and care. I have been impressed by your hope and empowered by your spirit. In response, I would like to follow up our "40 Days of Purpose" with a sermon series called "42 Days of Purpose: The Life of the Church." On April 10th, I will begin the series by looking at the explosion of the church in Acts and the call to repentance and baptism. Then on the April 17, we will examine what fellowship should look like. On April 24, we will focus on our individual places of ministry. We will develop and learn about giving our testimony on May 1st. Mother's Day, May 8th, will call us to "get dressed" for work! Pentecost Sunday, May 15th, will reignite the passion of our baptism of the Holy Spirit. Finally, on May 22, we will remember the great commission in Matthew.

I hope you can get excited about our new journey together as we examine the purpose and life of the church. Invite your friends and family.

Preaching a series will be new to me, but I am excited. I have talked with Rev. Gerald Casson from Highland Park UMC in Dothan, and he and I are joining in this endeavor. Please keep us, our churches, and our community in your prayers as we study "42 Days pf Purpose: The Life of the Church."