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LifeLINK E-News
Dear LifeSource Family,
“Planting Our Future Together”
A quick look around my
backyard this summer tells me a lot about how things grow. From flowers to
berries, we’re enjoying beauty and delicious tastes of nature. (I only
wish strawberry season could last all summer.) I am amazed at how
combining all the right ingredients makes things grow. Too much sun and
the lawn turns a pasty tan. Too much water and I get a green swamp with
mushrooms. Not enough fertilizer and the lawn and flowers can become
anemic. Everything needs just the right amount of care. That’s the trick –
knowing how to care for growing things. Maybe that’s why God asked Adam
and Eve to “tend the garden” of Eden. (Genesis 2:15) Even in that perfect
environment the first couple learned that some growing things start early
while others start later. Each seed, plant and tree has its season and
requires certain kinds of care to grow and stay healthy. This process
still remains today. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11)
God
gave us growing things so we
could learn how to grow
them. But knowing how they grow can still a challenge for us. And what
fascinating spiritual lessons spring from planting and reaping. The Bible
makes it clear that understanding how God has designed things (including
you and me) to grow is very important. It’s essential to understand what
can hinder the maturing process of all things living. While Peter, the
fisherman turned apostle, describes the church as “living stones,” I
prefer to think of the Church as God’s living “garden.” It is the Church
that the Holy Spirit “tends” in order to help us all grow and mature in
Christ.
A recent series of Bible
studies on prayer at LifeSource pointed this out beautifully. Together we
applied the concept of “sowing and reaping” to developing an active,
growing prayer life. Another follower of Jesus named Paul says in 2
Corinthians 9:6 “Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly and whoever
sows generously will reap generously.” Well, we didn’t plant nearly enough
tomato plants this year. So, guess what? There won’t be much of a
“harvest” later this fall. This sowing and reaping principle not only
applies to growing a garden and a prayer life, but it applies to growing a
church. (You knew I’d come back to this point, right?)
Here’s the heart of the
matter: the upcoming
“40 Days with Jesus”
is specifically designed to take all of us (and our unchurched
friends) on an exciting journey into spiritual growth by examining the
eight beatitudes (“blessings”) of the God’s Kingdom. We have set apart
forty days this fall for small groups to meet one night per week for six
weeks. This study together will either produce a deeper love for Jesus
Christ or it will fall on deaf ears. Each one of us can afford to grow
deeper in our love for Jesus, for one another and for our community. The
study materials are excellent and easy to use. The weekly messages during
Saturday worship will stimulate and challenge your thinking and warm your
heart.
Now is the time for each
person in the growing church family at LifeSource to set aside all the
other “agendas” and make the
“40 Days with Jesus”
the number one priority in a church-wide experience. Remember our goal –
110% participation. I believe that as we support one another in small
groups (we call them LifeGroups), pray together, study together and have
some fun together, our spiritual garden will produce a wonderful harvest
of changed lives and more new faces among us at LifeSource. God will bless
you personally as you embrace this wonderful opportunity. So what are you
waiting for? Grab your rake and hoe and let’s go!
Here’s what’s happening at LifeSource…
“Life Takes…” Series Continues
Our 2006
summer message series is entitled “Life Takes…” is rapidly drawing to a
close. We’ve been focusing on essential endangered qualities identified in
the Bible through the lives of prominent and not-so-prominent Bible
characters. Life takes such qualities as courage, endurance, discipline,
unconditional love, etc. Together we’ve discovering what “life takes” to
live with purpose and a passion to experience God’s love in today’s world.
Upcoming “Life Takes…” messages at LifeSource:
-
Aug 26
- “Life Takes…Sacrificial Love” –
Pastor Phil
-
Sept� 2
- “Life Takes…Faith”
– Pastor Joshua Bolt
-
Sept� 9
– “The High Cost of Following Jesus” –
Pastor Phil
(This is the “kick-off” message of the “40 Days with Jesus” adventure!)
“40 Days with Jesus” Starts September 9!
At LifeSource we believe
that life change happens best in small groups. This fall,
beginning September 9,
we we’re launching our next big, “audacious” small groups adventure--a
practical study of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). We’re calling it
“40
Days with Jesus.” During this journey together small
groups, we’ll focus on the life and teachings of Christ through one of his
most important messages--the Beatitudes. How life in the Kingdom of God is
works best.
Now is the time to
invite your churched and
unchurched friends to join you for fun, fellowship (and did we mention
food?) in this exciting and transformational six-week small group series!
A discussion-provoking video curriculum along with personal study guides
(cost is only $5 each--cheap!) on the eight “blessings” are available only
for group participants. Pastor Phil will also be teaching a corresponding
weekly message based on these eight Beatitudes.
Our goal is
110% participation!
This means every member at LifeSource
and more! We can only reach
that goal if you are
involved and you invite
your unchurched friends and neighbors from our surrounding community. Look
for the special “40 Days” flyer for more info. �
NOTE:
We need more hosts! If you’re especially interested in being
blessed as a Host Home Leader, contact Carol Nord at the church office
(772-4640) afternoons, Mon.-Thur., 12 noon to 5 p.m. May God bless you
abundantly!
Summer Splash Baptism
Two weeks
ago at our church campout at Farragut State Park, Eleanor Pittsley, took
her stand for Jesus as the newest member of LifeSource church! This is
remarkable only because Eleanor, who is 80 years old, is a classic case
where a long-time relationship with another LifeSource member (Mike
Piper), helped bring her through the doors of our church.
Sabbath
afternoon, when Eleanor was unable to negotiate the steep path to the
baptism site at
Buttonhook Bay, the location was changed to the outdoor swimming area just
a short distance away. There, while some fifty LifeSource people sang
God’s praises, Eleanor was baptized in front of nearly a hundred
additional onlookers, many of whom clapped and cheered when she was lifted
back out of the water. It was truly a “God-moment.” Congratulations,
Eleanor! We love having you at LifeSource and look forward to your
ministry and fellowship!
Important Church Scheduling Note!
If you or
your ministry at LifeSource is planning an event, please note that ALL
scheduling needs to be processed through the LifeSource church office,
including events at CUMC. It is essential that our church secretary, Carol
Nord, coordinate all LifeSource ministry events on the church calendar.
This helps us avoid a variety of problems in planning your event. Please
contact Carol at the LifeSource office, 772-4640 (Mon-Thur, 12 noon to 5
pm) or via e-mail:
lifesource@my180.net. Thanks for helping us keep a smooth operation
for all ministries at LifeSource.
LifeSource Prayer Ministry
God raised up a growing, faithful contingent of prayer warriors at
LifeSource. This new yet quiet ministry continues to lift up members of
our congregation and community as needs and praises are made known. Do you
or someone you know need prayer?
Here are the options to
help us pray for you: (1) Fill out the Communication Card in the seat
pocket at church; just drop it in the offering basket and we’ll take it
from there. (2) Contact the church office directly, 772-4640 and leave us
a voice message. (3) Contact the prayer team listed in the weekly worship
guide by phone or email.
Rest assured your
request will be lifted up to God by these faithful, confidential prayer
warriors. Also, don’t forget, Pastor Phil and the LifeSource office staff
meets every Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. and prays for any requests
mentioned on the Communication Card.
Local Churches Need Child Care
-- Community United
Methodist Church: Sundays 8am-12pm, $7.00/hr., about 7 kids a day,
ages 1 1/2 to 4 years old, mostly 3 & 4 yr. olds. Qualifications: a Junior
in high school or older, very reliable and dependable, and that loves
kids. If you are interested or have any questions please call Martha
Hatch, CUMC Children's Ministries Coordinator @ 765-8800.
-- Heart of the City
Church
: a new church that meets Sundays near 15th and Sherman
Ave. Age 16 years or older to do child care during worship. For more
details contact Pastor Jonathan Owens @ 819-0701.
LifeSource YOUTH Activities
Encomium
– A new twice-monthly Friday night worship at CUMC designed especially for
teens organized by Pastor Joshua and the LifeSource youth group. The next
Encomium (it means “high
praise”) worship event is scheduled for Friday, August 4th at 7
p.m. Youth are encouraged to invite their unchurched friends.
Tuesday Night LIVE
–
Each Tuesday evening during
the summer, Pastor Joshua and his clever and highly motivated youth leader
team plans and awesome (and fun) social time together. This week it was
“Bigger and Better”, a progressive scavenger hunt that yielded an
assortment hilarious items followed by some refreshments. Contact Pastor
Joshua (691-6650) for more info.
Rent-a-Kid
– This excellent ministry will continue beyond summer to help raise money
for next summer’s short-term mission trip. See the sign-up sheet at
Welcome Center in the church lobby. Check with Pastor Joshua for more
details.
FUEL
– Each Thursday evening at
6:30 p.m., the LifeSource youth group invites their friends to come
together at CUMC for a lively discussion, recreation, and Bible-based
worship thought – sometimes all three!
S.W.A.T.
– Every Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. the LifeSource youth group meets in
the youth room at CUMC for an interactive 45-minute Bible lesson. Grab
some refreshments at the famous Rhino Cafe and “come on down!” We’ll
supply the Bibles if you need one.
Encouragement Card Ministry
Anyone can be part of
this exciting new ministry at LifeSource! Just look for the
blue Encouragement Cards
in the Offering baskets at church or at the Welcome Center, write an
encouraging message to someone you would like to bless, address it and
mail it. It’s that simple. (HINT:
If you don’t know the address of a church member, we’ll address it for
you. Or if you can’t afford a stamp, we’ll even cover the twenty-four
cents postage!) Then, just drop your card(s) in the offering basket during
worship and we’ll take it from there. Has your life been touched by
receiving an “E”card? Share your story:
pastorphil@lifesourcecc.org.
LifeSource Financial Snapshot
Please
remember that funds marked “tithe” on the tithe envelopes do not remain in
our local church (unlike many other churches). All funds marked “tithe”
are forwarded on to our conference office headquarters for worldwide
distribution through the general tithe fund. Our local budget is met
through “offerings” (which can also be indicated on the tithe envelope).
The “mission” of LifeSource to reach the unchurched in our area is fully
dependent upon your faithful stewardship and generosity in response to
God’s blessing in your lives. As you partner with God and with us, you
provide LifeSource with “lifting power” to tackle the many growing
ministry projects that are transforming lives all around us. God bless
you!
Please
remember our LifeSource budget during your travels away from church this
summer. Our church expenses continue while you are gone.
Finally…
This next
week (Aug 27-Sept 3), Debbie and I will be taking a much needed family
“retreat” in British Columbia, thanks to kindness and generosity of
friends. Meanwhile, our lawn and garden will continue to grow, but no
worries. Come Labor Day, we’ll be back home and getting things in shape
after our absence. At that point, we’ll only be a week away from the
opening “kick-off” of
“40 Days
with Jesus.”
I look
forward to seeing you this Saturday at worship and to join you in our
collective praise to God. I look forward to knowing how God is blessing
your lives in your daily walk with Him. I also look forward to seeing the
new faces of unchurched people who you might bring this week. Be sure to
have them fill out a Communication Card when they do. I send them a “thank
you” letter from all of us.
Have a
wonderful Labor Day weekend with Pastor Joshua next Saturday. He’ll
conclude our “Life Takes…” series this summer with a message entitled,
“Life Takes…Faith!” You are an awesome church family and I love you as you
remain in my thoughts and prayers daily.
God bless
you! |
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