Hey Friends,
I’m here with Pastor Jeff and we are excited about the transforming power of GRACE.
As you know, we are now in Advent season which extends from November 29-December 24. We opened our worship season together on The Lawn, listening to the sounds of Christmas, remembering the light of the world as we symbolically lit the Christmas tree. There was a lot of joy on our campus. A big shout out to all who helped us to make the lighting of the Christmas Tree possible. We had volunteers to help set up the structure, fluff branches, attach ornaments, attach branches, check the lights and connections, and those who helped with parking the night of the event. It was a huge undertaking and a major win. Way to go team!
I’m grateful for Bill Evans and Quicksie 98.3 for coming alongside us to spread Christmas cheer to our friends in the listening area.
I’m glad the Holy Spirit encouraged you in His Word. Our vision and values sermon series titled “Cultivating a Culture Grace” is the first step toward “a long obedience in the same direction” to borrow a phrase from Eugene Peterson.
Vision will leak if we fail to speak. Our family of friends will speak on one accord.
Dream with me for a moment.
Each December, if the Lord tarries, we will focus on some aspect of “Christology” which is the study of the person (who He is) and work (what He does) of Christ. Our first approach to this examination is called “Christology from Above” which allows us to spotlight the Christ event in Phil 2:5-11. This week I have become even more amazed at the humility and sacrifice of Christ for the sins of the world. Christ gave up heavenly status to die for human sin while remaining sinless. Selah. Think about that statement for the rest of the week.
I am praying the Holy Spirit will use this ancient poem in Philippians (2:6-11) to strengthen our view of Christ during this Covid Christmas. He is the Lamb and Lion which means the Christmas story does not end in a manger or on a cross. Our story never ends! The baby in the manger was never in eternal danger. He died, physically resurrected from the grave, and ascended with a promise to return so that He can make all things new (Rev 21:5).
We have a lot to celebrate.
I’m passing the baton over to Jeff who will give you an opportunity to celebrate Christ through our World Missions Offering and update you on our Church Family Business Meeting….
Hello church family,
Christmas time is a wonderful time for us to reflect on the greatest gift ever given, the Christ Child, Jesus. In this beautiful expression of love we see generosity in its fullest; God giving to the world the only gift that can accomplish renewal, a Savior, Jesus Christ. God’s given us this gift to show us how much He loves and cherishes us as His ultimate creation. How we respond to this gift should reflect the way it was given: with generosity in love.
How can we give with generosity and love? One way is to give to our World Missions Offering. Giving to the World Missions Offering accomplishes so many great things. Your gift will be directed to five different mission needs. Every dollar you give goes directly to help share the gospel Here | Near | and Far.
Here are the ways your generous gift is directed:
- 50% goes to the Lottie Moon Offering directly funding our International Mission Board Missionaries around the world.
- 17% goes to the Annie Armstrong Offering directly funding our North American Mission Board Missionaries.
- 17% goes to directly fund our SV Missions endeavors in Nicaragua and St. Louis.
- 12% goes directly to the Eliza Broadus Offering directly funding missions endeavors in the Commonwealth of Kentucky through the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
- 4% goes directly to Sunrise Children’s Services helping children who are in foster care.
You can find out more about each one of these different ministries by clicking on the links provided. The great thing about our World Missions Offering is that you can give to it throughout the year! Sara and I have been doing this type of giving for many years now and the amount we’ve been able to give to missions is pretty amazing.
I also want to encourage you to come and be a part of our Quarterly Business Meeting coming up on Dec. 13th at 5pm. At this meeting we will be presenting the 2021 Proposed Budget. These teams of people have all been a part of the preparation of the budget and give their unanimous support: the Personnel, Trustees and Stewardship Teams, our Deacons, the Church Council and Staff.
This is a budget bathed in prayer and will need faith, generosity and sacrifice from each of us to accomplish what we feel God is leading us to do in 2021. We hope to see you on Dec. 13th.
We also want to remind you of our plans to Re-Gather for worship in person on December 13th. We will be Re-Gathering with our regular worship service times at 9 and 10:45am. We are suspending SVkids and SVstudents meeting in person through December. Also, Celebrate Recovery will Re-Gather on December 14th at 6pm.
Please use this opportunity to invite your friends and family to watch us online this Sunday and then bring them with you when we Re-Gather on Sunday December 13th.
Listen friends, we love you and are here for you! Just know that you are the most important thing about this community called Severns Valley. God bless you. We can’t wait to see you.
Pastor Curtis & Jeff Wilson
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