To God's Loved Ones @ Cloverdale Baptist Church:
It was good to celebrate on Sunday and rejoice in God's gift of this new building to us! What a joy to see God's people come together faithfully and be able to announce that we are debt free...and have our doors open for ministry. These are exciting days for us as a church, and essential for us to stay in prayer as God's people! What an encouragement to fill the church with people and to close our service, after hearing from Dr. John N. about the greatness of Jesus, with the song, To God Be The Glory! Amen, to that song, and that message, as we as a church family use this facility to the praise of His glorious Name, and point people to Him! Thank you to all who worked hard to make this day special!
I had the privilege of going to a preview of a movie called War Room. It opens this Friday in theaters, and it is excellent as a reminder for us to pray as God's people. Would strongly recommend this movie for all of us who need a reminder to pray, and to see on film the power of prayer. It is well worth the price of admission, and popcorn. To support this kind of movie and to be challenged in our own pursuit God's will through prayer is an exciting proposition. John 15:5 makes it so clear, APART FROM HIM WE CAN DO NOTHING.
There is much that is kicking off in the church this week, and it is important for all of us to stay updated on what is going on!
Growth Groups are starting. We would love for most of our people to be in growth groups, and invite you to participate in a growth group this year. You can sign up to take part at the welcome desk and we will do our very best to plug in all who want to grow closer with a group of people. As we grow bigger, it is important we also grow smaller, and your participation smaller groups will help you to feel connected and express love more effectively to others.
Sunday School is starting this Sunday at 9:10, and that is for people of all ages. It is our desire to have a strong Sunday School ministry as a church so that we can grow in the knowledge of God and be more effective and showing how great He is with our lives and lips. There are three adult options: Discipleship 101; which will take sign up and commitment. We are limiting this class to 18, so if you would like to participate in this please let me or Chad know. Another option is, Biblical Truth In A Worldly Culture, taught by Brian Nelson. The third option is, Victory In Jesus, a study of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians. All three will be held in the upper education wing, so join us at 9:10, bring a coffee and your Bible and come and grow with us!
Youth Group has started; AWANA is starting tonight; and this list could go on and on. Join in, pray, and help us through your life and lips succeed in our pursuit of excellence in service for the Glory of our God.
Sunday night we will be hearing from those we sent out on short term missions work. Please join us for a time of celebration, prayer, and encouragement. It is good to see how God used our people and our prayers to do His work here and around the world...JOIN US!
Baptism Service: We will be having another baptism service on October 18...if you have not been baptized as a believer please contact one of your pastors, and we would joyfully help you in the process of obedience of Jesus in this way.
In November, we have the privilege of having one of the world experts on the reformation and on preaching coming to our church on behalf of Sola Scriptura. Steven Lawson is someone that has written extensively, and preaches around the world. You can sign up with Sola Scriptura, or if you would like a discount because you are a member of Cloverdale Baptist Church, you can come to this event that we are hosting for $20. Sign up will be at the information desk, and payment required when you sign up. November 7 should be a great day for our church family, come and be blessed by this event, preacher, and God's Word. Information for this event can be found on Sola Scriptura's website. He will also be preaching here on November 8, so invite your friends for this incredible opportunity.
Please continue to be patient with us as we discover together the new pathway in this building. Thank you for those who are communicating with us, and we are trying hard to figure out how best to Glorify God, and serve His people here. It will take time as we try to make sure the lights are bright enough, but not to bright, as we ensure the sound is excellent, and loud enough for all to hear clearly, and praise God together with our voices and ears. Our goal in being a multi-generational, multi-ethnic congregation will mean a willingness on all of our parts to be God-centred, and to prefer one another, so be encouraged and challenged as we continue to journey forward together. If you hear concerns, please listen carefully to them, but also please point all of our people back to our God and our mission so that we can be undistracted in our praise of God and pursuit of His work. Our transition to this point has been amazingly smooth, let us keep it that way as we seek to be a healthy church for the glory of our King together!
Sunday Is Coming:
Text: Mark 9:14-29
Title: Learning To Live By Faith
Read the text, as well as Hebrews 11:1, 6 and meditate on why faith is so important to God
What do you think about the following statement, "Although there are many dangers, toils and snares for people to travel through, the main problem in the life of believers and the church is a lack of faith, not the problems themselves"
The last portion of Mark, that we begin to study on this day, is focused on teaching the disciples. Why is this so important for us to listen to as disciples in the modern world?
How can we allow texts like this to remind us to always pray and never give up?
Have a great week, I am looking forward to another great Sunday with you as we worship our King as we continue our journey through Mark, and actively pursue His love, and to be loving
a fellow servant...
Pastor Rob
Memory Verse Of The Month: Psalm 1:1 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers