Good morning,
Praise the Lord for this new day. Our oldest daughter, Janice, who lives with her family in Boston, wrote in her face book page yesterday, "welcome Indian Summer in November". Indeed, it is Indian summer here in New York. It is going to be another brilliant and bright day. We will gather for our mid-week time of Fellowship, Bible study, and choir practice this evening starting at 6 PM. Whenever the saints gather in the Name of Jesus, the Lord of the Church, shows up. In fact, He is already waiting to meet us there.
We had our annual church meeting with our District Superintendent Rev. David Masland yesterday evening. It was a great blessing to celebrate the grace and love of Jesus. It was a time for celebrating the Lord's faithfulness and looking to the coming days with great expectation of serving the Lord for He calls us and propels us to serve Him in such a time as this.
I love the Church, the Body and Bride of Christ. The Church has been a very vital part of my life from my infant days. The church has been vital part of my life during my school - college and grad School - and during the married years of my life. The Lord has blessed me beyond belief all through these years. Praise the Lord that all my children and their families love the Lord and love church, and that they are committed in serving Him. It is a high honor and privilege to serve the Lord who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Throughout my life the church has meant a lot to me, and I am sure that many of you can identify with me in this.
I think that many of the problems people have with the church is because they fail to see the good that the church has to offer. I believe that when we start to truly and sincerely love the church it changes the way that we interact within the church. It changes the way that we participate, it changes our motives, and changes our priorities. We treasure it because of where it came from and someone you love loved that item.
One of the reasons why I love the church is because Christ demonstrated that he loved the church. His love is far reaching, in that it reaches to people that we may not be comfortable loving, and his love is deep, in that it is unconditional and sacrificial. Jesus demonstrated this love that he had for the church. He Gave Himself Up for the Church. I can’t help but to see in the Scripture that God loves the church because Christ gave himself up for the church. The Scriptures teach us that it is by His stripes that we were healed.
You are related to your family through a blood relation. As God’s children we have been washed in the blood of Jesus and made a part of God’s family. The Bible uses all sorts of analogies comparing the church to a family and God as the father. For example we are all children of God. We are brothers and sisters with Christ. We are co-heirs with Christ. Being a part of a good family is something that everyone can value and treasure.
One of the reasons why I love the church is because Christ demonstrated that he loved the church. His love is far reaching, in that it reaches to people that we may not be comfortable loving, and his love is deep, in that it is unconditional and sacrificial. Jesus demonstrated this love that he had for the church. He Gave Himself Up for the Church. I can’t help but to see in the Scripture that God loves the church because Christ gave himself up for the church. The Scriptures teach us that it is by His stripes that we were healed.
You are related to your family through a blood relation. As God’s children we have been washed in the blood of Jesus and made a part of God’s family. The Bible uses all sorts of analogies comparing the church to a family and God as the father. For example we are all children of God. We are brothers and sisters with Christ. We are co-heirs with Christ. Being a part of a good family is something that everyone can value and treasure.
I love to sing:
I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God;
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by his blood,
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I’m a part of the family, the family of God
The Church is unlike anything else in the whole world, in that special relationships can be formed between those who have a common bond in the church. The fellowship that we can have within a church is a special thing that is unique to the church.
I have heard that giant redwood trees in California actually have really shallow roots. How then can they stay strong and not topple over with out deep roots? The reason is because the Redwood trees are connected together by their roots. Since they are connected together at the roots they are able to stand strong and withstand the storms and the wind.
As Christians when we are rooted together in Christ we are able to withstand a lot of difficulties because we are connected together. Christian fellowship is distinct from worldly friendships and is different from just spending time with friends. Christian fellowship results in spiritual growth. If it wasn’t for the church and the influence Christians have in the world, morality would become extinct. I see the Church of Jesus Christ as being the salt of the Earth, speaking out against what is contrary to what is good and right. I see it as being a conscience and a voice in a society that without the voice of Christians would be an utterly immoral and chaotic place to live.
I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God;
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by his blood,
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I’m a part of the family, the family of God
The Church is unlike anything else in the whole world, in that special relationships can be formed between those who have a common bond in the church. The fellowship that we can have within a church is a special thing that is unique to the church.
I have heard that giant redwood trees in California actually have really shallow roots. How then can they stay strong and not topple over with out deep roots? The reason is because the Redwood trees are connected together by their roots. Since they are connected together at the roots they are able to stand strong and withstand the storms and the wind.
As Christians when we are rooted together in Christ we are able to withstand a lot of difficulties because we are connected together. Christian fellowship is distinct from worldly friendships and is different from just spending time with friends. Christian fellowship results in spiritual growth. If it wasn’t for the church and the influence Christians have in the world, morality would become extinct. I see the Church of Jesus Christ as being the salt of the Earth, speaking out against what is contrary to what is good and right. I see it as being a conscience and a voice in a society that without the voice of Christians would be an utterly immoral and chaotic place to live.
The Church Has Shown Love and Compassion to the Unlovable. Jesus showed that every person had value, that every person matters, that though those who called themselves religious wouldn’t show grace to the unlovable He would. Many of the people that make up the church may have been rejected by the world and never could find love and acceptance, but the church has shown love to those people. I love the church because sinners should be able to find acceptance in the church. What an example of Christ’s love! I love the church because the church shows love and compassion to those that may be and seem unlovable.
How many lives have been impacted because of the church and what she stands for? There is no telling. Paul was one of those people who sought to kill Christians, but he was changed because of Christ and he became a great influencer for good. He may have been someone that was ruled out as a evil man that could never change, but Christ saw beyond that. One life changed makes an eternal difference.
There is nobody that is too far from the grace of God. One person at a time the church has been an influence on society and by individuals changing their lives and making Christ their Lord it has shaped our world to be a better place. If it wasn’t for the church people would have less medical care, would be less educated, and would have less freedoms and laws protecting them. There are countless more reasons to love the church. The church has conviction and commitment to truth in a world rejecting absolutes. The church shows there is hope beyond this life. The church is a great place to celebrate life and salvation. The church is a place to find meaning, mission and purpose in life. I love the church.
How many lives have been impacted because of the church and what she stands for? There is no telling. Paul was one of those people who sought to kill Christians, but he was changed because of Christ and he became a great influencer for good. He may have been someone that was ruled out as a evil man that could never change, but Christ saw beyond that. One life changed makes an eternal difference.
There is nobody that is too far from the grace of God. One person at a time the church has been an influence on society and by individuals changing their lives and making Christ their Lord it has shaped our world to be a better place. If it wasn’t for the church people would have less medical care, would be less educated, and would have less freedoms and laws protecting them. There are countless more reasons to love the church. The church has conviction and commitment to truth in a world rejecting absolutes. The church shows there is hope beyond this life. The church is a great place to celebrate life and salvation. The church is a place to find meaning, mission and purpose in life. I love the church.
In Christ,
Brown
Saturday , November 12, 2011
Harvest Banquet: Traditional Turkey dinner with Home Made pies, Home Made cooking, "best in the Country". Donation $7.00
Serving at 12 noon
At Wesley United Methodist Church.
1000 Day Hollow Road, Endicott, NY 13760
Come Share Rejoice
For Information: 607-748-6329
Saturday , November 12.2011
Praise and Worship Service
First United Methodist Church , Endicott
Sponsored by Union Center UMC
6 PM Gathering- Coffeee- Fellowship
6.30 PM Worship
Music: Laureen Naik
Speaker: Rev. Brown Naik
Dec. 6th is our planned trip to NYC to see the Radio City Christmas show. We need to confirm the bus and show tickets so must have all reservations and money into the office by Thursday, Nov. 10. You don’t want to miss this great opportunity, a bargain at $90 for transportation and the show. Call 748-6329 for more information or to confirm your reservation.
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