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From Pastor Rod to the family at Woodbury Presbyterian Church
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| LOVE NOTES: March 26, 2009 Woodbury Presbyterian Church God’s Love in ACTION Dear Church Family, Happy Anniversary! 2009 is the 20th Anniversary of our congregation, and we have so much to celebrate. Here are a few things that fill us with joy and compel us to thank God. Growing the Family Growing Disciples Living the Dream Remarkable Spiritual Leaders Three Great Celebrations Growing the Family The Lord keeps blessing our church family with wonderful new members. On March 29 we’ll claim the covenant promises of God as we baptize little Nicholas Underwood. We will also baptize Titus Paterson, Brandon and Melvin Colon and Caleb and Melissa Figearo as they profess their faith in Christ and are confirmed. Also taking a stand for Christ and being confirmed are Quinby Mitchell, LB Chartrand, Juan Soto and Erin Hoolihan. What a joy! But that isn’t all. Some adults will become part of our family that day too. We’re thrilled to welcome Frank and Heather Figearo, Dan and Suellen Buckman, Andres Rodriguez, Edward Bryan, Bruce Griffin, Stacy Watkins and Cheryl Catron. (Yes, Miss Cheryl!) If you’re counting, that’s 19 new members. (Our total for 2008 was 12 new members.) But it isn’t the numbers that matter, it’s the people who count. These are wonderful new sisters and brothers who will grow as disciples of Jesus and help us do the same. We welcome them with Christlike love. Growing Disciples Speaking of growing disciples, I’ve had a number of people tell me lately how much they are growing in their faith. That’s always exciting. A couple of folks said how much the daily Bible readings mean to them. They’d never read the Bible before. Now they’re on their second or third time through and its making so much more sense and informing the way they think and view the world. Others are experiencing invigorating transformation as they give themselves in service. One man said he had been wasting his retirement on golf and TV, but now he’s finding so much purpose in Christian service. Oh, and this weekend (March 25-29) Linda Duke and Ruby Prasad are in for one of the most significant experiences of their lives: They’re attending the Walk to Emmaus. Many of our members have been greatly blessed on a weekend like that. Keep Ruby and Linda in your prayers. And if you were in worship on March 22 you heard the moving and heartwarming testimonies and prayers of 5 of our members. (If you missed those, be sure to listen to them in the “Audio Sermons” section at www.WoodburyPres.com.) God is shaping some amazing people here. And not just “them.” He’s doing the same in your life and mine. Living the Dream It seems like nearly every conversation I have nowadays includes an allusion to “Ordinary,” “Familiar,” “Border Bullies” or “Giants.” A great tool God is using among us is Bruce Wilkinson’s book The Dream Giver and the 8 or 10 small groups that meet each week to discuss how God gives us dreams and what it means to pursue them. (So many people wanted to join a Dream Giver group during Sunday School we had to open two classes!) By the way, these small groups have been so popular and meaningful to people that we’re already looking at what we might do for small groups after Easter, then again in September. To me, it feels like we’re learning more about what it means to love and care for each other as the Body of Christ. That’s a reason to celebrate. Remarkable Spiritual Leaders You’ve probably noticed that I like to load these LoveNotes with good news. To tell you the following, however, I have to mention some bad news. Like everyone else, our church family is facing the economic crisis. We’re behind budget. So at the last Session meeting we set aside time to consider what to do about that. Of course we’re practicing fiscal responsibility and holding the line on spending as much as we can while still meeting people’s needs in the love of Christ. But here’s the good news. Your elders didn’t panic. They didn’t try to blame someone for the problem or come up with gimmicky fund-raisers or any of a myriad of typical responses. Instead they said, “We’re called to grow disciples of Jesus. We can’t let finances distract us from what we’re called to do. Keep growing disciples, and the finances will take care of themselves.” I was blown away with gratitude for their wisdom. God has led you to elect marvelous elders. Thank Him for them. And when you get a chance, thank them as well, for their courageous, godly leadership. Three Great Celebrations You already know that March 29 is going to be a great Sunday as we receive our Confirmation class and receive new members, but the next three Sundays are also very special. Plan to be with us for all of them! April 5 is Palm Sunday. This is always a great and joyful celebration at Woodbury. Our first Sunday on Woodbury Road was on a Palm Sunday. We love to remember and rejoice in the fact that Jesus Christ is King of our lives. I’m really looking forward to the sermon, “About That Donkey …” April 12 is Easter. The center of our lives is the resurrection of Jesus. We will celebrate Communion at our Sonrise Service at 6:50 AM and at 8:45 and 11:00. The Easter message is “Happy Birthday!” We’ll explore how the Lord’s resurrection is tied to our being “born again.” What does it mean to be born again? How does it happen? What difference does it make in our lives? April 19 is our 20th Anniversary Celebration! We will have one joint worship service at 10:00 AM. Of course there are too many of us to all fit into our building at Woodbury at the same time, so we have rented a hall at the Holiday Inn Select, UCF (12125 High Tech Drive near Alafaya Dr and University Blvd). After the service we’ll be served a nice lunch. This will also be the Kick off Celebration for our Capital Funds Campaign. Come celebrate both the past God has given us and the future where he leads us. In Christ’s Love, Rod<>< |