....................................................................................................................................."a fellowship of love!"
This was a message from the pastor in The Witness to members concerning his July 9 message about coming changes to our Sunday morning worship and Sunday School hours beginning September 10, 2006, the Sunday following Labor Day.
This coming Sunday, July 9th, we will dedicate the day to sharing with our folks our plan to go to two Sunday Schools and three worship services on September 10th. The services will be at 8:30 (more traditional style), 9:45 (more contemporary style) and 11:00 (blended style). Sunday Schools will be at 9:45 and 11:00.
I will be preaching on "Stepping Across" this Sunday morning at both services. The message will give information about our plans, as well as present a biblical challenge for us to "step across" our Red Sea as we march into God's future for our church. The need to open up seating space at our 11:00 service also provides us an unprecedented opportunity to offer a new worship style at 9:45! That Sunday evening, we have planned "Q & A about 3&21" It stands for "Questions and Answers about Three Worship Services and Two Sunday Schools." We'll be cooking hotdogs and hamburgers for supper at 6:00 and then following that with a time for questions and answers about our new Sunday schedule. Please make plans to be a part of this historic day! Come EXPECTANTLY!
I Love You, Garth
Answers to frequently
Asked Questions from the Pastor and Staff...
Is there really a need to move in this direction? Definitely yes, if we are to continue to obey the Great Commission and be the living Body of Christ. A body not growing is not alive. Now is the perfect time for this change because we are about to move into a new building. Whenever you open a new building, there is always a rush of new people curious to see a living growing congregation. At the present time we do not have room in our 11:00 worship to accommodate any more people. In fact, some new people have visited with us, had trouble finding a seat, left the worship service altogether and never returned. Another person tried to find a seat, an usher had to squish people together in a row to seat her. It was uncomfortable sitting so close to strangers, she never returned. Throughout this past year this has happened so frequently, our deacons directed us to do something. "We cannot afford to turn people away from hearing God's Word!"
What would be the schedule of 3 Worship Services and Two Sunday Schools? 8:30 -Worship 9:45 -Worship and Sunday School 11 :00 -Worship and Sunday School
Will all the Worship Services be the same? No, Greg and his worship team are planning to have a slightly different "flavor" at each service.
8:30 Worship - will be a little more traditional in its approach with less use of the screen.
9:45 Worship - will lean more towards a contemporary style of worship in the use of music and media.
11:00 Worship - will remain the most unchanged. It will continue to be a blended service.
Bro. Garth will be preaching the same sermon at each worship. The message will remain the same only the style of the service will vary.
Who will lead the worship services? 8:30 Special Leadership and special music
9:45 Greg, a praise team and Youth choir 11 :00 Greg, a praise team and Adult choir
Why do we need Two Sunday Schools? If we only kept the 9:45 Sunday School and did not add one at 11 :00, those attending the 9:45 Worship would not be able to attend Bible Study. God's Word teaches that we must do both, worship Him and study His Word. We must provide Bible Study for all our people!
Iheard that some adult classes are being asked to move to 11:00. Is that true?
Yes, two adult classes are being asked to
move: Couples R Us and the Seekers class. No other classes will be asked
to move at this time, although any
volunteer moves will be of great help.
We will also be adding another adult
class for young married couples (those
under 32 years old). These are the
folks we believe would most enjoy
the more contemporary type service
at 9:45. This will mean a sacrifice on
the part of many. But it is a sacrifice
which will bring great rewards. I
believe our folks want to see others
hear God's Word and would gladly
give up their present time in order
to build the Kingdom of Heaven.
Will my children be provided for atbothtimes?
Yes, there will be Children's Church during both worship times. In fact we will extend the ages for Children's Church from 4 year olds to 5th graders. Our younger preschoolers will be able to stay in their classes during both Sunday School and Worship times. There will be a new set of workers for the second Sunday School. There will be classes for children at both 9:45 and 11 :00 (1st and 2nd Grade, 3rd and 4th Grade, and 5th and 6th Grade). Our Youth will be encouraged to attend 11 :00 Sunday School where we will provide more closely graded classes. At 9:45, we will begin with one youth class for all youth, grades 7 -12.
I could go to worship and send mychildren to Sunday School. then be able to leave early, right? No, that's not really a good idea. First, God says we need both. It's not either/or. Second, your children are watching you. If you don't go to Bible Study, they will see that Bible Study is not important to you and they will follow your example.
Would I be expected to work in both Sunday Schools? No, no one will be asked to work in both Sunday Schools.
Who can I talk to, if I have other concerns? Feel free to call any of our staff. They would be happy to answer any of your questions. If they do not know the answer right away, they will find out and get back to you as soon as possible.
Overall Questions: Garth Forster; Worship Questions: Greg Burrell; General S.S. Questions: Russ Jenkins; Youth Questions: Michael Barnes; Children Questions: Emily Reems
May I attend any worship and Sunday School I choose? Yes, that would be fine. But remember to be of the most help and to provide the most room at 11 :00 worship, attending the 9:45 worship and the 11:00 Sunday School would be the greatest blessing.
From Brother Garth:
Dear Friend, I appreciate your willingness to help us provide more space for others to hear the Gospel Message. I know it might take some sacrifice on your part in moving to a new worship and Sunday school time. It may be hard at first getting used to a new schedule. But I know that God will bless your sacrifice and bless many others in coming to know Him as Lord and Savior.