Greetings Church family,

This week, we will be continuing our examinations of the Covenant Affirmations with a special look at our "the Church as a fellowship of believers"

I also thought I would share this article by Sarah Bessey about her decision to give up alcohol. This short personal essay is not really about alcohol, but about discipleship. It considers how God prompts us towards His Holiness. In our society, we have a hard time telling the difference between judgement and conviction; between condemnation and liberation; deprivation and abundance. When you give up something for God, it isn't taking things away-- it is being invited into a fuller, richer life. And as Sarah states at the end of the article, the point wasn't to convince you to give up alcohol, but to remind you that we are on journey with the Holy Spirit. Sometimes the "liberties" we enjoy are better set aside for the greater freedom found in relationship to Christ. 

Also we are still looking for a youth director. Feel free to send a copy of the job description to any qualified candidates that you know!

Christ is King,

Pastor Criss

 

"Day By Day” is a gospel song of praise and worship to God the Father.  Have you hummed or sang it lately?  As followers of Jesus we have such a great arsenal of glorious songs to God for all phases of our journey through the darkened earth, don’t we.  What’s your favorite gospel songs?  Aren’t there so many?  I remember in the Old Testament the God of Israel (our God) instructed the singers to go in front of the army into the battle and also the shepherd boy David sang for king Saul who was relieved of the evil spirit that was on him

Is there triumph in your life?  Christ and his disciples sang before his ordeal in the garden—shouldn’t we sing too?  The Hebrew writer ( maybe James the Lord’s brother?) says we’re to offer up a “sacrifice of praise” in chapter 13.  Isn’t it noteworthy it’s called a “sacrifice”?  Why?  Come then today, this moment, let’s sing of our Redeemer, and of our Heavenly Father, and the glorious Helper the Holy Spirit.  “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!” (a psalm of David).

Love In Jesus, Laura & Vince

 

Consider a donation to the Alaska Conference Village Pastor Fund.   As  many village churches are not able to provide all that is needed in funding salary, health insurance and pension, moneys from this fund are used to subsidize these needs.  To give to this fund, click on this link: