To God’s Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist:
I love Christmas. Usually I warn you not to be distracted from Christ, now I am thankful for the distraction from the rest of the world, and focus on Christ!
It is a great excuse to talk about love and grace, and to share the difference that Jesus can make in our world. It is a great opportunity to help others to know Jesus!
It helps us remove our focus from masks and mandates and place them on the Messiah and mission. It is not easy to lead in times like these as the world dominates our thoughts, rather than the Word. Thank you for being a family that cares more about what Jesus thinks than the internet, that is how we will stay unified, and on mission during these difficult times! I praise God for your humble faith and love for others at such a time as this!
We had our largest in person attendance on Sunday for an amazing children’s ministry service and Gospel focus (in the CE, COVID ERA). Children invited friends and family, and the Gospel was clear and done in a beautiful way. Thank you to Robyn and Hannah and all involved for a wonderful celebration of the Messiah and the difference He can make in our lives. So many of you have commented on the beauty of the day, and I am thankful for a church family and ministry team that helps us to honour Jesus together. WELL DONE.
As you know we start each New Year with a time of recommitment and prayer, and we will be doing that as again this year, with an ever deepening knowledge of our need for the Spirit’s work in our lives! Please commit to spending this time with us in prayer, as well as making it a priority in 2022. It is only as we pray together and time alone, that we will receive all that God has for us, including the fruit of holiness and evangelism. PLEASE PRAY, and commit to join us in prayer. More on the call to prayer, and schedule in the coming weeks, as we anticipate working in us and through us by our prayers.
We talked about JOY on Sunday, and as most of you know JOY has been brought into our lives through the birth of our first grandbaby, Eloise Joy. Thank you for your prayers for her and her precious parents, and we ask that you would continue to REJOICE with us. It is amazing that if I am having a grumpy thought, a look into her face, especially when she smiles at me lifts my heart, how much more if we are struggling does a look at the Christ-child and all He did and does now as our LORD and SAVIOUR give us an overwhelming sense of peace, power, and praise. If you are struggling with the grumps, let this gramps teach you the lesson of the beauty of gazing at Jesus and letting Him dominate your heart (like that precious little girl delights ours).
You can’t help but be joyful, loving and unifying if you see Him clearly!
Remember to invite friends and family to a Christmas eve service that will focus on Jesus and His Gospel. We will have a time of special music and fellowship (in the Fellowship Hall) from 5:30-6:00, and then from 6-7 a service of Joyful focus on Jesus.
Sunday Is Coming:
A reminder to prepare your hearts to worship, encourage one another, and hear God’s voice from His Word. Take the time to think about what God is going to do on Sunday to change your life, and use you to be a blessing.
Pray you would be able to encourage at least three other people who attend!
Jesus Makes A Difference: LOVE
Text: John 15:12-17
- Why do you think love is such a focus of the culture?
- How does the love of God differ from the love of the world?
- How does the sacrificial nature of God’s love show itself?
- How can you grow to experience His love more richly?
- What would it mean for you to take steps to express His love more specifically in your sphere of influence?
- What would you need differently to do to help build our reputation at CBC as a family filled with love?
Would you take the time to chase someone you haven't seen for a while, and just tell them you love them in Jesus name. For some it has been a LONG time since they have felt the intimacy of family at the church building, and a phone call, a card, or a visit would brighten their day, and share from their church family the love of Jesus!
Privileged to be your shepherd, and His servant,
Pastor Rob