I remember when I was younger in school and the teacher would ask a question that I knew the answer to my hand would go up so fast!  It was almost uncontrollable – my one arm would go up and the other arm would help as if to stretch it higher than the rest of the kids in the class. Then my hand would start waiving and my fingers moving and sometimes my body would shift and lean forward or I’d start to fall out of my seat…. Thinking back, I’m almost embarrassed as to how that looked. However, the excitement that I had when I knew the answer and wanted to be picked to speak was uncontainable. 

In all seriousness, I (yes, we) have the answer to any and all questions today.  Jesus is the answer!  Do we have that uncontrollable burning desire to make sure that we are heard?

As we are preparing for Easter Sunday, and celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior – let’s all have that same childlike uncontrollable excitement to tell others about the one who is the answer to all things, Jesus!  Have a spirit of invitation and invite others to join us for worship. He is our hope. He is Love that Never Fails!

Your sister in Christ!

-Naomi

This Sunday we have the privilege and joy to dedicate 5 children to the Lord! This will be a very special time for these families, as well as our congregation!

In the Church of God movement and in our congregation we practice child dedication instead of infant baptism.  In Scripture there are many examples of children being dedicated to God for His service but no examples of infants being baptized to secure eternal salvation (Samuel (1 Samuel 1:21-28), John the Baptist (Luke 1:59-63) and Jesus (Luke 2:21-24).  Baptism is a public statement of Faith and is set aside for believers who have made a conscious decision to follow Christ.

It is a public acknowledgment that children are a gift from God and should be offered back to Him.  It is also a commitment from the parents to raise their child in a Christian environment and set before the child a Godly example. In our congregation we believe that Family Discipleship is the key to creating that Christian Environment and Godly Example in the home.

There is no, one, right way that ‘Family Discipleship’ must be done; each family will have their own culture and style, however there are a few key elements that set the foundation for successful Family Discipleship:

Discipleship is intentional. We all have heard the saying, “The best of intentions” in reference to someone desiring to do something, but not actually taking action to get it done. Family Discipleship is not going to happen on it’s own – it must be an intentional plan with actions steps to back it up.

Discipleship is relational, and the first relationships that children will experience are with their parents! Authentic relationship allows hard things to be said in love, a key part of parenting in the Spirit, am I right parents? When parents are real with their children, children come to understand that who Mom and Dad say they are in public, is the same version they see at home.

Discipleship is reproducible. This might seem odd when thinking of your young children, teens or college kiddos who are years away from marriage and starting their own families. But even as children, they are capable of leading their peers in intentional, relational discipleship. Just as you begin teaching them grandma’s special cookie recipe when they are two or three, not using kitchen appliances on their own for instance, they are still learning. Those memories will be core memories that stick with them forever. Family discipleship is the same. They will remember their parents, in the big and small moments, were authentic and real with them, pointing them to God no matter the situation. When a friend comes to them with a hurt heart, asking for answers, they will turn to what they have seen modeled.

This might seem overwhelming, but take heart! At HFC we are all family, and as such we strive to encourage, support, and resource our congregation! Pastor David and I have TONS of resources available to our families that are simple and easy to use. They can be found on the website at hfcog.org/kids-youthministry/ . We are always available to help answer questions you have because we want to partner with you and equip you to disciple your family well.

Many Blessings,

Pastor Sarah

You can do this!  We can do this!  Christ can do this through all of us!  Let’s all do our part to share the life changing love of Jesus that will never fail.  I promise that your submission to God in this measure will provide fruit for you, those you are connecting with and the entire church!

In Him,

Pastor Tim.

Hey church Fam! We are officially in We Serve Week 2022; How exciting! If you already signed up to serve in one or more projects that is awesome! Make sure to pray, pray, and pray because this is a great opportunity for you to serve and minister to those who will be around you. Do not miss any opportunity to share and pray with people; also do not forget to tell them that they are loved and not alone!

If you haven’t signed up for any projects yet there is still time to do so. Make sure to go to hfcog.org/WeServe for all the information about We Serve week. Trust me when I say that we can find a place for you to serve, even if you are not able to do any physical work you can be part of our Prayer Support Team and even part of our Encouragement Team. “We have a place for you”.

Also, as an update for We Serve Week the HOA Landscaping project has been rescheduled for a later date by the HOA community due to some renovations happening this weekend but you can still serve Saturday March 19 at Home of Amazing Grace. Please contact our Connections Director Naomi Dingle at Naomi@hfcog.org and she will be able to answer your questions about our Home of Amazing Grace project.

“We Serve” week is next week and I’m so excited for all the ways we are going to come together to serve our community and share the love of Jesus in words and actions.  And realize that this is a great opportunity to invite others to join in. 

People like feeling like they are making a difference.  We all like feeling like we are making a positive impact on the world.  So let’s invite others to make a difference with us.  The people we invite don’t have to be part of the church or even know Jesus.  These service opportunities are a great environment to tell people why we serve.

In Matthew 20 Jesus said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  We don’t serve just because it is nice.  No, We Serve because Jesus set an example for his disciples.  Let’s influence the world with the kingdom of God as we put all that we have learned from the Bible into practice.  Not only will it impact the people We Serve but it will also impact the people we invite to serve with us.

In Him,

Pastor Tim.

Last year you did two things that haven’t been done since I have been Pastoring HFC.  First, in November you committed $40,000 to building improvements to update the building in some very strategic ways.  Then in December you finished out our Faith Promise year by giving about 33% more than we had budgeted to receive—$10,000 more!  Now in January 2022 you have pledged $43,000 for Faith Promise.  That’s an $11,000 increase from last year!

We will keep you posted on how we are able to invest in vital ministries through Faith Promise throughout the year but I want to give you a special update on the building improvements face to face.  So I’m inviting you to the HFC Vision Conference Follow Up this Wednesday, February 23rd in the Hospitality Room at 7:00 pm.  We will get to talk more about the new paint, new coffee station, building repairs, and the new lift.

We really need you there because part of what we have to discuss is money.  The paint cost was a lot more than we expected and I want to talk with you about how we should continue in light of the additional cost.  Don’t worry, we didn’t spend more than the $40,000 approved at the annual business meeting, but there is still so much more to be done, and we want your input.

Depending on how discussions go we may need to meet again for a vote so we are announcing now a Special Called Business Meeting for Wednesday, March 9th at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.  If you already registered for the meeting in November you don’t need to register again.  However, if you didn’t register then please do so this Sunday.

I can’t wait to share all the exciting news with you!

In Him,

Pastor Tim.