The Evangelism Explosion witness training will begin a new series here at Faith in March.  The training is open to both men and women in the church wanting to learn how to give an effective gospel witness.  Training sessions will be held for 9 weeks and will meet on Sunday's at 4 p.m. beginning March 7th. 
There is a cost for the class materials, and more information can be found at the signup list in the foyer.

Swamped by sickness.  The flu, H1N1, pneumonia and various other viruses are swirling around us.  We are taking every precaution we can and encourage you to do the same.  This past Sunday we gave out the following information concerning our response to the flu season.

 

What Can I Do to Reduce Risks?

 

·         Please do not come to church while ill.  Health care professionals recommend being fever and symptom free for at least 24 hours before going back out into the public.

 

·         Do come to church if you are well.  Fellowship with God's people and in His Word will actually make you feel better.

 

·         Wash your hands regularly and use a hand sanitizer.  Hand sanitizers are available in both lobbies and in other locations throughout the church facility.

 

·         Please do not feel compelled to shake hands.  We can still greet one another with waves and smiles and talk all we want.

 

·         Cough and/or sneeze into a tissue or into crease of elbow, NOT hands.

 

·         Avoid touching nose, mouth, and eyes as this is how viruses spread.

 

·         Consider staying home if a household member is ill as you might be spreading the virus before symptoms appear.  This is especially true if you are a volunteer with infants, children or the elderly.

 

·         Please do not panic.  Please do pray.

 

The church facilities are cleaned regularly and we will continue to do all we can to maintain a healthy environment for all our ministries.

 

If you are a volunteer who will be out due to illness in your family, please contact the church office or your ministry/department leader as soon as possible so that a substitute can be contacted.

 

www.pandemicflu.gov

Reflections on Grace:

Mephibosheth and Me

By Brent D. Summerhill

January 28, 2010 – For Communion at Faith (January 31, 2010)

Based on 2 Samuel 4:4 and 2 Samuel 9

 

Broken was I,

Broken was he;

Outcasts were we both,

Mephibosheth and me.

 

He – the grandson of a disgraced king,

Broken in a hasty escape;

He was left without remedy,

In this world he had no place.

 

Me – a child of Adam's race,

Broken was I by sin;

I too was left without remedy,

No peace, no hope within.

 

Living in exile,

Were Mephibosheth and me;

Crippled and helpless,

No future could we see.

 

Until the day the message came,

A message from the King;

"Come! Come to my house!" he called,

"Come and dine with me."

 

We shook with fear

And trembled in awe;

"Why such regard,

"For two dead dogs?"

 

For him it was for Jonathan's sake,

A friend knit to David's soul;

For me it was for Christ alone,

The friend to sinners here below.

 

And so, amazed that we were called,

To the King we came;

We fell in worship at his feet,

We, the broken and the lame.

 

Then lifted up in arms of grace,

All our fears were made to flee;

As we were carried to the table,

Mephibosheth and me.

 

 

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?  I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?" (Luke 13:1-4)

 

There is no reason it couldn't or shouldn't be us. All of us – Americans, Haitians, Africans, Europeans and every tribe and tongue on the earth – share a common plight and common need.  Sinners are we all in need of a Savior.

 

And so when we see the images of devastation from Haiti, we are moved not to some self righteous pity, but to a sympathy of commonality.  And out of that commonality we pray.

 

We pray for the physical needs of the homeless and hurting and for the grieving.  And our prayers motivate us to help.  There are numerous credible relief organizations mobilizing even now.  Among them is Samaritan's Purse, a ministry of evangelist Franklin Graham.  You can follow their relief work in Haiti and donate at their website.

 

But we pray also for their spiritual needs. As Christian relief organizations mobilize we pray that the inhabitants of Haiti may see the glory and goodness of Christ in their efforts. May ever cup of water, ever meal served and ever shelter erected declare the compassion of the Savior and may many believe in Him.

 

We will keep the church up to date on any opportunities that may arise for our involvement.

The Keep the Faith Foundation for Kids (KTF) exists to share the love and compassion of Jesus Christ with families who have children suffering with cancer and to provide assistance for the financial burdens resulting from the family's care of their child.  I had the privilege of spending a few minutes with the KTF Board of Directors as they began a new year of ministry and welcomed two new board members.

 

I spoke to the Board concerning a theological foundation for this ministry that deals with the struggles of kids with cancer and too often the grief of their deaths.  I share these comments with you for two reasons: (1) that they may be of some help to you in your particular life struggle and (2) to ask you to pray for the children, their families and those who minister to them.

 

Romans 8:18-30 teaches us:

 

Glory will overcome suffering and creation will be set free from its bondage to corruption through Christ Jesus.

 

As you minister to these families, God will help you pray when you cannot find the words.

What do we ask God for on their behalf?  Grace, faith, healing, provision?  Yes.  And yet at times we are so heartbroken and so angry with cancer and sin and decay and death that we cannot find words to ask for anything.  Do not despair. He knows.  And His Spirit intercedes beyond our words.  And in Him is our COMFORT.

 

God oversees our suffering and uses it for good.

Though we struggle to see beyond the storm, our CONFIDENCE is that He is there and that He is working His glory to our good.  William Cowper out of his dark days of depression penned these words: